From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, in Ebonyi State has condemned the heinous killing of Abakaliki people in Anambra State.
The committee called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to investigate the perpetrators and bring them to book.
A statement issued by the Secretary of the human rights group, Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe, said the gruesome and unimaginable event transpired on Monday, June 30 at Ogbuoji in Orumba North.
According to him, “The gunmen, according to a survivor, arrived in two Sienna vehicles at the venue of the monthly meeting of peace-loving people from Ebonyi State in Ugboji, Orumba North Local Government Area.
“After questioning the attendees about their meeting and alleging that Ndi-Abakaliki were obstructing them in their own territory, the gunmen callously opened fire, leaving at least 11 people dead and many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
Onyibe recounted the similar killing of an Abakaliki young man by an operative of the Anambra State vigilante group popularly known as Udo-Ga-Achi, before the mass murder.
“This brazen and merciless attack is not an isolated incident, as Anambra State has witnessed a disturbing trend of targeted killings and violence against specific groups.
“Recently, a boy was fatally shot by trigger-happy men from the Anambra State security outfit, Operation Udo-Ga-Chi, and justice is yet to be served.
“The latest massacre of 11 people in one day is a stark reminder of the insecurity and impunity against Ndi Abakaliki in Anambra State.
“We urgently call on the IGP and the Anambra State government to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this gruesome massacre to prevent future occurrences of such deadly violence,” he said.
