A member of the House of Representatives, Chinwe Nnabuife, has condemned the recent violent attack in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, which resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals of Ebonyi State origin.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Press Complex on Thursday, Nnabuife, who represents the Orumba North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, described the incident as a “heartbreaking and unjustified loss of innocent lives.”
The victims, members of the Ebonyi Union residing in Ogboji, were reportedly killed by gunmen during a routine union meeting.
According to preliminary reports, the violence was not rooted in communal or ethnic conflict but stemmed from an internal leadership crisis within the Ebonyi Union.
“I condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms. No Nigerian should ever face such brutality. This senseless bloodshed is a crime against our shared humanity and must not go unpunished,” Nnabuife said.
She emphasized that the crisis arose from an internal dispute among Ebonyi indigenes who have coexisted peacefully with the host community in Ogboji for many years.
“There is no record of hostility between the host community and the Ebonyi settlers,” she added.
Community leaders, security personnel, and eyewitnesses, confirmed that the violence escalated following disagreements within the Ebonyi Union.
A breakaway faction is alleged to have taken the union’s financial records, cash, and minute book, fueling tensions that culminated in the tragic events of March 2025.
Nnabuife further noted that one of the deceased, believed to be the leader of the splinter group and serving union chairman, had earlier submitted a statement to the police about the internal discord, reinforcing the view that the violence was not communal in nature.
In response to the attack, the Ogboji Town Union, local vigilante groups, and community stakeholders acted swiftly to restore peace, assist the injured, and coordinate burial arrangements.
She praised the Ebonyi community in Ogboji for their restraint during this difficult period, saying, “Their resilience and composure are admirable and offer a glimmer of hope amid this tragedy.”
Calling for a thorough and transparent investigation, Nnabuife urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the state governments of Anambra and Ebonyi to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“We cannot allow impunity to thrive under a democratic system,” she stressed.
The lawmaker also appealed to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to provide humanitarian assistance to affected families through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Nnabuife cautioned the public and media against spreading false information regarding the incident.
“This moment calls for truth, unity, and empathy, not finger-pointing or sensationalism,” she said.