Lawmaker representing Orumba North/South Federal Constituency in Anambra State, Hon. Princess Chinwe Clara Nnabuife, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of at least 10 Ebonyi indigenes during a violent attack in Ogboji community, describing it as a heinous crime and a grave affront to national unity.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday, Hon. Nnabuife said the attack—believed to have been sparked by a leadership tussle within the Ebonyi Union—must not be misconstrued as an ethnic or communal clash.
“This was not an ethnic conflict. It was a tragic outcome of an internal crisis. The people of Ebonyi have lived peacefully in Ogboji for decades. What happened is an attack on our collective humanity,” she stated.
According to Nnabuife, the violence erupted during a union meeting, when armed assailants allegedly invited by one faction of the group stormed the gathering. Reports from survivors and preliminary security briefings suggest the crisis stemmed from a long-standing leadership dispute, including allegations of misappropriated documents and breakaway factions.
One of the victims—reportedly the former union chairman—had filed a complaint with police months earlier, warning of escalating tensions within the group.
“These were avoidable deaths. Had early warnings been taken seriously, this bloodshed might have been prevented,” she added.
The lawmaker commended the swift intervention of local security outfits, the Ogboji Town Union, and the Ebonyi community leaders who worked to restore calm and support victims in the aftermath of the attack.
“Despite their grief, the Ebonyi people in Ogboji have conducted themselves with restraint and dignity. Their actions are a testament to the strength of peaceful coexistence,” she noted.
Nnabuife is calling on the Nigeria Police, DSS, and the governments of Anambra and Ebonyi States to launch a full-scale, transparent investigation and ensure those behind the killings are brought to justice.
“Our democracy cannot survive where violence goes unpunished. Impunity must end,” she said firmly.
In addition to justice, Nnabuife urged the Federal Government, NEMA, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to immediately deliver relief materials and assistance to affected families—especially for medical care, trauma support, and financial aid.
“The survivors need help now. They need healing—not just of wounds, but of broken spirits. We owe them that much.”
She also warned against media sensationalism or divisive rhetoric, cautioning that misrepresenting the incident as a communal crisis could stoke further unrest.
“This is a time for compassion, not conjecture. We must speak truthfully and act swiftly to ensure peace and justice,” she concluded.
Offering her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and communities of both Ebonyi and Ogboji, Nnabuife vowed to keep pushing for justice.
“I stand with you in grief, and I stand with you in resolve. We must ensure this never happens again.”