By Comfort Olayinka
A somber mood gripped the National Assembly Press Centre on Wednesday as Hon. Princess Chinwe Clara Nnabuife, Member Representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, addressed the press on the gruesome killing of ten persons during a community meeting in Ogboji, Anambra State.
Describing the incident as a “horrific act” and an assault on collective humanity, the federal lawmaker condemned the killings and called for a full-scale, transparent investigation by security agencies.
According to Hon. Nnabuife, the victims — all of Ebonyi State origin and lawful residents of Ogboji were allegedly attacked by unidentified armed men during a routine gathering of the Ebonyi Union. Preliminary investigations suggest the violence stemmed from an internal leadership rift within the Union, not from any ethnic or communal tension with the host community.
“The evidence before us shows this was an intra-ethnic dispute, not an inter-communal conflict,” she clarified, emphasizing the historical peaceful coexistence between the Ebonyi community and their Ogboji hosts.
She revealed that the crisis began in March 2025 when a splinter group broke away from the main Union body, absconding with financial records and vital documents — an act which escalated tensions. One of the alleged ringleaders, who was also among the deceased, had reportedly given a statement to the police prior to the incident.
Commending the Ogboji Town Union, local vigilante groups, and community leaders for their swift response, she praised efforts to stabilize the situation, evacuate victims, and prevent further violence.
The lawmaker also lauded the Ebonyi community’s restraint in the face of tragedy and appealed to the public and media to avoid inflaming passions with misinformation.
Hon. Nnabuife urged the Federal Government, through NEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, to provide immediate support to affected families, and called for justice to be served swiftly.
“This is not a time for blame or sensationalism,” she said. “It is a moment for sober reflection and national unity.”
She concluded her address with heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and a renewed commitment to peace and justice in the region.
