—Demands full justice as Operation Udo-Gachi agents in police custody
The Ebonyi Welfare Central Executive has firmly rejected any proposal for an out-of-court settlement in the wake of the brutal murder of Fabian Ugo, a native of Ndioke Nduebor Village, Okpuitumo, in Ebonyi State.
The killing, which occurred earlier this month, has sparked widespread grief and outrage within the Ebonyi community in Anambra State and across the country.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a high-level intervention meeting was convened in Anambra State. In attendance were Fabian Ugo’s father and elder brother, Chief Moses Ogbonna (President General of Izhi Nnodo Ekumaenyi in Anambra), the CEO of Mosfrank International Company Ltd, legal representatives of the Ugo family and the Ebonyi community, and senior officials from Operation Udo-Gachi—the paramilitary unit whose members have been implicated in the killing.
During the meeting, representatives of Operation Udo-Gachi reportedly admitted the involvement of their operatives in the killing and appealed for an out-of-court resolution to avoid prolonged legal proceedings.
This suggestion was swiftly and unequivocally rejected by the Ebonyi delegation. The leadership emphasized that the matter goes beyond the murder of one individual, saying it represents a troubling pattern of targeted violence against Ebonyians in Anambra and other parts of Nigeria.
Speaking at the meeting, a spokesperson for the Ebonyi Welfare Central Executive cited similar incidents in the past where killings of Ebonyi natives were quietly settled or left unresolved.
“We are committed to ensuring that those responsible face the full weight of the law,” the spokesperson declared. “This is not the first time, and if we don’t act decisively, it won’t be the last.”
Two officers involved in Fabian Ugo’s murder have already been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command and are expected to be arraigned in court soon. The Ebonyi executive has confirmed that all legal channels are being actively pursued to ensure justice is served.
Discussions at the meeting also extended beyond this singular case, touching on broader concerns over the safety and welfare of Ebonyians residing outside the state, particularly in Anambra. While some strategies remain confidential for now, the leaders assured the public that long-term measures are being developed to protect and advocate for Ebonyi citizens nationwide.
Apostle Igbudu Chukwuemeka Nweze, speaking on behalf of the Ebonyi Welfare Central Executive, called for unity, peace, and restraint among Ebonyians:
“This is not a call for retaliation—it is a call for justice. Justice through lawful means, with God on our side. We uphold the belief that no Ebonyi life is expendable, and we will not rest until justice is delivered.”
The Ebonyi Welfare Central Executive has reiterated that there will be no shortcuts or compromises in seeking justice for Fabian Ugo. This case, they stressed, will serve as a litmus test for the enforcement of the rule of law and the protection of minority communities living outside their indigenous states.
All eyes are now on the authorities to ensure this case ends not in silence, but in justice.
