Leadership tussle among Ebonyi indigenes cause of the killings in Anambra - Police

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By Madu Obi

Awka - The Anambra State Police command has confirmed that the killing of some people ai Ogboji, Orumba South local government area of the state, was due to leadership squabble among indigenes of Ebonyi State residing in the community.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, who led a joint security investigative team to the area, insisted that the incident was not a targeted attack on any indigene of any state, but a cowardly action of the common enemies of the state.

The visit also witnessed a courtesy call on the Traditional Ruler of Ekwulobia.

Although the police said that 10 people were murdered during the incident, a source in the community said a total of 19 people lost their lives, while some people were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, one person has been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that the suspect, whose name was given as Sunday Mbanu is currently assisting the Police in their investigation.

He said that during an interaction with some stakeholders of the community, including the Traditional Prime Minister, President General of the Ogboji Community and the son of the landlord where the meeting was holding, some revelations were made.

He stated: "There is a leadership squabble in the Association of Ebonyi State indigenes in the area. The meeting that recorded the incident is the factional leadership of Ebonyi indigenes living in Ogboji.

The association had earlier complained and written a petition to the President General of Ogboji without recourse to the security agencies.

As the PG was trying to use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) strategy to resolve the issue, it escalated to a record of the unfortunate incident."

He said that the son of the landlord where the meeting was being held before the shooting began, confirmed that one of the victims is a tenant in their compound and that he gave some details that the joint investigative team are working on.

While condoling with the people of Ebonyi State, especially the family and friends of the deceased, the CP wished the injured ones a quick recovery.

He assured that the state Police command remains committed to making sure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were brought to book.