Police in Anambra State have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in the brutal murder of 13 Ebonyi indigenes during a monthly town union meeting in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area. The suspect, identified as Sunday Mbanu, was apprehended on Wednesday during a visit to the crime scene, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the arrest followed a joint operation led by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu. The team comprised officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies. Mbanu is currently cooperating with investigators as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.
CP Orutugu emphasized that the assault was not targeted at any particular ethnic group but rather the work of common enemies intent on destabilizing the state.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru strongly condemned the senseless killing of over ten Ebonyi indigenes during the peaceful gathering held two Mondays ago. Expressing deep shock, Governor Nwifuru described the attack as “barbaric” and “a direct assault on peace, unity, and the sanctity of human life.”
“It defies reason that peaceful citizens holding a lawful meeting would be shot at close range. This is completely unacceptable, and I strongly condemn this heinous act,” the Governor said in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
Governor Nwifuru also revealed that he has reached out to his Anambra counterpart, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, calling for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation to uncover the motive behind the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice. He warned that any failure or compromise in prosecuting those responsible could strain the historically cordial relations between Ebonyi and Anambra states.
He further appealed to Ebonyi citizens, particularly affected families, to remain calm and avoid any acts of retaliation that could escalate tensions. “Such barbarism has no place in modern society,” Nwifuru said, assuring that all necessary state resources will be deployed to identify and punish those responsible.
The Anambra State government has also condemned the killings, describing the incident as deeply troubling. In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information Dr. Law Mefor, the government extended condolences to the victims’ families and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. Preliminary investigations suggest the violence may have resulted from an internal dispute.
Dr. Mefor called on the police to conduct a thorough probe to ensure that justice is served and reassured the public that the attack was not targeted at any specific ethnic or state group. “We will do everything humanly possible to maintain peace and security in Anambra,” he said.
The Police Command confirmed that the assailants, who arrived in two SUVs, opened fire indiscriminately on the gathering without provocation, killing at least ten people and injuring others seriously. The victims’ bodies have been deposited in the morgue. SP Ikenga vowed to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The attack has also drawn criticism from civil society. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), led by Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, highlighted the incident as a stark example of the worsening security challenges in Anambra State. Despite assurances from the government and the establishment of a state-backed vigilante group—the Agunaechemba security outfit—violent attacks by gunmen continue unabated.
Nwanguma questioned the effectiveness of the security outfit and called for a comprehensive audit and improved collaboration with conventional security agencies, including the police, DSS, and military. “When attackers can drive into communities openly, shoot at gatherings, burn vehicles, and escape without consequence, it raises serious concerns,” he said.
As investigations continue, both state governments have reaffirmed their commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of citizens, pledging to leave no stone unturned in addressing the tragedy and restoring security in the affected communities.
