By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Blood is flowing in Anambra State after gunmen killed 13 members of the Ebonyi community residing in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.

News Express learnt that the gunmen stormed the venue of their meeting in a Sienna car, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025 and opened fire on them, saying that they were holding meeting against them.

The attack has left the affected families and the larger Ebonyi diaspora in mourning.

Reading to the attack, Prince Chigozie Nweke, President of Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State (ANIAS) called for a thorough investigation into the massacre. He condemned the heinous act and urged the Anambra State Government to take swift action to ensure justice is served.

He said ?We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of thirteen indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.

"While we commiserate with the bereaved families and the people of Ebonyi State, we respectfully call on His Excellency, Governor Charles Soludo, to deploy all state resources to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of this tragedy. Justice must prevail,

"There is need for the government to assert its authority and utilize all security networks to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

?If swift and decisive action is not taken, this could undermine the peace and stability that Governor Soludo?s administration has worked so hard to achieve over the past three years.

We trust CP Orutugu?s capacity to combat criminality. We therefore call on him to ensure that no stone is left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice,?

While further appealing to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu to wade into the matter, Nweke expressed confidence in his leadership and crime-fighting efforts.

He also urged him to mobilize the Command?s personnel to hunt down the culprits.

Nweke reiterated ANIAS?s commitment to maintaining peace and promoting security in Anambra State, noting that the association has been collaborating with the President-Generals of all 179 communities in the state.

Narrating the incident via a phone interview, a survivor of the attack, the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, Mr. Augustine Odom described the attack as sudden and unprovoked.

He explained that the community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck.

He said: ?We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00 p.m. This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members.

"Then, around 6:30 p.m., a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them."

?They collected our minutes book, demanded the group?s minutes book, and after seizing it ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting us.

"Thirteen of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.

?We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another,?

Odom added that those killed were from various communities in Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo and other villages.

The two survivors are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in the area.

Both expressed deep shock over the incident, stating that they had no known disputes with any individual or group prior to the attack.

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