Ebonyi Natives Massacre in Anambra: Governor Nwifuru Expresses Disappointment with Soludo’s Inaction
By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the poor handling of the brutal killing of 11 Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking during the state-organized burial ceremony held on Thursday at Unity Square, Abakaliki, for the 11 victims, Governor Nwifuru condemned the Anambra State Government, led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, for failing to bring the perpetrators to justice over four months after the massacre occurred.
The victims, all from Ebonyi State, were reportedly attending a meeting on May 30, 2025, when unknown assailants attacked and killed 11 of them.
The twelfth victim survived but remains in critical condition.
Describing his frustration, Governor Nwifuru recounted a phone call he received from Governor Soludo on the day of the incident.
“At about 8 p.m. that day, I got a call from the Anambra State Governor. He said, ‘The worst has happened.’ I asked him, ‘What happened?’ and he replied, ‘Twelve Ebonyians have been killed by unknown gunmen.’ I told him clearly that I am deeply concerned about how my people are being slaughtered in Anambra,” Nwifuru said.
He also noted that despite the gravity of the crime, no suspects have been arrested, aside from an Ebonyi man who, according to Nwifuru, was apprehended without credible evidence.
“As I speak to you, not a single person has been properly arrested in connection with this crime. The only arrest so far was that of an Ebonyi indigene, and I said no, because there was no concrete evidence linking him to the killings,” he stated.
Governor Nwifuru further pointed out that preliminary investigations revealed the attackers spoke a fluent Igbo dialect distinct from that of Ebonyi natives.
“I reminded Governor Soludo that Anambra people own most of the properties in Ebonyi and play a significant role in our state’s economy. That should count for something. Our people cannot continue to be treated like this in their state.”he added.
The governor urged Ebonyi residents to remain calm, assuring them that justice would eventually prevail.
“This is not a time for political talk; I am here as the chief mourner. But I urge our stakeholders and the bereaved families to stay calm. We will not rest until justice is served,” he said.
As part of the state’s support, Governor Nwifuru announced a cash donation of ₦65 million to the victims’ families. According to him, each widow will receive ₦5 million to help them cope with the loss.
