10 killed as gunmen attack Ebonyi indigenes during meeting in Anambra

At least 10 persons have been killed after gunmen disrupted a town union meeting in Ogboji community of Orumba south LGA in Anambra state.

The victims, who were mostly from Ebonyi state, had gathered at the community for the monthly town union meeting on Monday when the gunmen struck, shooting at the attendees from point-blank range.

The Anambra police command said 10 persons were killed during the incident but the Ebonyi state government said 13 indigenes lost their lives.

In a statement, Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra police spokesperson, said the gunmen arrived at the community in two sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and shot at the victims “unprovoked”.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 (ten) people were confirmed dead,” Ikenga said.

“The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

“Meanwhile, the police-led security team has taken over the scene and are working on necessary information to arrest the perpetrators.”

EBONYI GOVERNOR ASKS SOLUDO TO PROBE INCIDENT

Francis Nwifuru, governor of Ebonyi, has asked his Anambra counterpart, Chukwuma Soludo, to commence an immediate investigation into the tragic incident.

Nwifuru urged the people of Ebonyi to remain calm and to refrain from any form of reprisal or actions that may escalate rising tensions.

“Such barbarism has no place in modernity and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings,” Nwifuru was quoted in a statement released by Monday Uzor, his chief press secretary.

“The administration in Ebonyi State remains committed to protecting the lives and property of Ebonyi people both at home and in the diaspora.”