The Anambra government has condemned the brutal killing of no fewer than 10 persons in Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state on June 30.
The government in a Statement signed by Dr Law Mefor, the commissioner for Information in Awka on Wednesday, called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Mefor said that preliminary investigations suggested that the incident may have stemmed from an internal squabble.
He extended the condolences of the State government to the families of the victims while urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
“The government expects the police command to conduct a thorough investigation, identify the perpetrators of this heinous crime, and bring them to justice.
“We want to assure the good people of Anambra and beyond that this incident was not targeted at any particular state or ethnic group.
“The government assures the people of Ogboji and the entire state that we will do everything humanly possible to ensure justice is served.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and security in our great state,” he said.
On its part, the Police Command in Anambra has confirmed the shooting incident which resulted in the death of no fewer than 10 persons with some left with serious gun injuries.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra Police Command said the assailants who operated in two SUVs shot indiscriminately at a gathering of a group without provocation.
“Regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead and their bodies deposited in the morgue,” he said.
Ikenga assured that the Command would hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Also on the incident, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) said the attack and attendant loss of lives had thrown a ‘harsh spotlight’ on the deteriorating security situation in Anambra
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of RULAAC said despite repeated government assurances and the existence of a state-backed vigilante system, Anambra continued to suffer violent attacks by gunmen unchallenged.
Nwanguma said that with the resurgence of cases of attacks, it has become necessary to ask questions about the operations of the recently inaugurated Agunaechemba security outfit.
“Where is Anambra’s much-vaunted security outfit in the face of these escalating killings?
“This latest atrocity joins a long and growing list of deadly assaults, including gun battles with security operatives, targeted assassinations, and ambushes in several parts of the state.
“When assailants can drive into communities in broad daylight or under cover of darkness, open fire on gatherings, burn vehicles, and retreat without consequence, it raises disturbing questions,” he said.
The Rights Activist called on the Anambra government to provide a full audit of the State security outfit and make them collaborate with conventional security agencies including the police, DSS, and the military.(NAN)
