The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a strong demand to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, urging immediate action to apprehend the killers of 13 Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The group warned that failure to swiftly deliver justice could spark reprisals and escalate tensions between Anambra and Ebonyi States.
The brutal killings, which occurred on June 30, 2025, during a peaceful monthly meeting of Ebonyi residents in Anambra, have sent shockwaves across the Southeast. Unknown gunmen stormed the gathering, opening fire and leaving 13 dead in what Ohanaeze described as a “barbaric and provocative act.”
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, factional Deputy President-General, and Thompson Ohia, National Spokesperson of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the group announced a four-day mourning period to honor the slain victims. They condemned the massacre as a deliberate attempt to sow hatred and disrupt the long-standing peaceful coexistence between the people of Anambra and Ebonyi.
Ohanaeze criticized what it called the conspicuous silence from Governor Soludo’s office, noting that more than 48 hours had passed without a formal condemnation or decisive action. The organization stated that the lack of a prompt and transparent response from the Anambra State Government was not only alarming but potentially damaging to inter-state relations.
“The Igbo nation demands clarity and justice,” the statement read. “Governor Soludo must rise to the occasion. His silence threatens to breed mistrust and discontent not only among Ebonyians but among Igbos across the region.”
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The group, however, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his swift intervention and collaborative approach. They urged Governor Soludo to match this commitment by showing empathy, visiting the bereaved families, and working closely with Ebonyi leadership to ensure the culprits are identified and prosecuted.
Ohanaeze also raised concern over the fragile peace between Anambra and Ebonyi, cautioning that external and internal forces may exploit the tragedy to incite retaliatory violence. They emphasized that only a firm and public commitment to justice can prevent the situation from spiraling into broader ethnic or political conflict.
“Governor Soludo, as the Chief Security Officer of Anambra State, the responsibility lies with you to not only condemn this act but to take visible and meaningful steps toward restoring peace and security,” the statement continued. “Your leadership is being tested, and the Igbo nation is watching.”
Ohanaeze concluded by reaffirming its support for efforts to promote justice and peace, urging all stakeholders to act swiftly to safeguard the unity, values, and dignity of Ndigbo. The organization stressed that inaction in the face of this tragedy is not an option.
