By Karen James
In response to the gruesome murder of ten individuals in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, today led a high-powered Joint Security Investigative Team to the crime scene, confirming the arrest of one suspect currently assisting the police with critical information.
The arrested suspect, identified as Sunday Mbanu, is reportedly providing key details to aid the ongoing investigation. The CP was accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister security agencies during the mission.
CP Orutugu reiterated that contrary to speculations, the attack was not a targeted assault on any specific ethnic group or State indigene, but a cowardly act executed by common enemies of the State seeking to destabilize peace in the region.
During the security visit, the team held engagements with local stakeholders including the Traditional Prime Minister, the President General of the Ogboji Community, and the son of the landlord of the compound where the tragic incident took place. Several critical revelations emerged from the interactions:
- The massacre occurred during a meeting of a factional leadership group of Ebonyi State indigenes residing in Ogboji.
- There has been an ongoing leadership crisis within the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes in the area.
- A petition was allegedly sent to the President General of Ogboji by one faction, without informing the relevant security agencies.
- In an attempt to resolve the internal crisis using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, the matter unfortunately escalated to fatal violence.
The son of the landlord also disclosed that one of the deceased was a tenant in their compound, adding further information that is now being processed by the Joint Security Investigative Team.
The police, while expressing heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Ebonyi State, as well as the families of the deceased, assured the public that the injured are receiving medical attention and will hopefully recover soon.
The visit concluded with a courtesy call on the Traditional Ruler of Ekwulobia, reaffirming the police command’s commitment to community partnership and thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command has assured that all perpetrators of this heinous crime will be tracked down and brought to justice without delay.
