This feature is published in solidarity with the victims and survivors of the June 30 Ogboji massacre and in pursuit of justice, equity and peace across Nigeria, Victor Nwegede writes.
On the grim evening of June 30, 2025, what was meant to be a routine town union meeting of indigenes of Ebonyi State residing in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, spiraled into an unthinkable tragedy. Thirteen innocent Ebonyians—men who had assembled to deliberate on welfare and development matters were brutally gunned down by unknown assailants in what survivors described as a coordinated and targeted execution.
The attackers, according to eyewitnesses, arrived in two Toyota Sienna vans and disrupted the peaceful meeting of predominantly Izzi clan members. Without provocation, they questioned the gathering about their activities, accused them of “occupying” ancestral territory, and opened fire indiscriminately.
This blood-curdling act of violence has shocked the nation to its core, igniting widespread condemnation and reigniting debates about ethnic tolerance, inter-state harmony, and the state’s capacity to protect all citizens regardless of origin.
In the immediate aftermath, Ebonyi State descended into mourning. Civil society groups, government officials, religious leaders, and concerned Nigerians voiced their outrage over the massacre, demanding immediate justice and comprehensive reform of the country’s security framework.
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)—a renowned human rights lawyer and advocate—described the killings as a “barbaric, cowardly, and cold-blooded act” that amounts to an egregious violation of the fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
“This is not just an attack on 13 Ebonyi indigenes; it is an assault on the conscience of our nation. It is a grim reminder of how fragile our unity remains and how unsafe innocent lives are in a country where ethnicity and origin too often become weapons of hate," he stated.
Ejiofor called on the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate, independent investigation and urged the Anambra State Government to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that the perpetrators—“no matter how highly placed”—are brought to book.
Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, reacted swiftly and unequivocally. In a press briefing conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, the Governor condemned the massacre in the strongest terms, calling it a “direct assault on peace, unity, and the sanctity of human life.”
“I have spoken with my brother, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, and demanded that the perpetrators of this carnage be brought to justice promptly and transparently,” Nwifuru declared.
He further urged Ebonyians to remain calm and law-abiding while assuring them that the State Government is fully committed to pursuing justice and accountability. “No sacred cow will be spared,” he added.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Ebonyi State Branch, strongly condemned what it described as “a horrifying escalation” of targeted violence against Ebonyians in Anambra State.
Comrade Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe, Secretary of the CDHR, linked the Ogboji massacre to a wider pattern of systemic aggression.
“This is not an isolated incident,” Onyibe emphasized. “Just weeks ago, a young man from Ebonyi, Fabian Ugo, was tortured and killed in Onitsha by personnel of Operation Udo-Gachi, a so-called anti-touting task force. Today, thirteen of our people are massacred in cold blood. This points to an alarming trend of impunity and ethnic profiling.”
The CDHR called on the Federal Government, National Human Rights Commission, and security agencies to treat these cases as urgent national security concerns rather than isolated crimes.
Survivors of the massacre recounted the traumatic events with chilling clarity. One victim who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg shared:
“They did not even give us a chance to explain who we were. They accused us of encroaching on their land and then just opened fire.”
The victims, mainly from the Izzi-speaking communities, had convened for a regular monthly gathering—a commonplace cultural and developmental meeting held by non-indigene communities across the country.
The Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State (ANIAS), under the leadership of Prince Chigozie Nweke, joined the growing chorus of outrage.
“We strongly condemn the heinous killing of thirteen Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji. The safety of non-indigene communities must be protected,” Nweke said. “We cannot allow this kind of injustice to be normalized.”
He assured that ANIAS is engaging security authorities and community leaders to ensure the safety and inclusion of all lawful residents in Anambra, irrespective of their ethnic origin.
The silence of the Anambra State Government in the immediate aftermath drew sharp criticism. However, sources later confirmed that Governor Soludo had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killings, assuring that no offender would be spared.
“We will get to the root of this matter,” a senior aide to Soludo said, requesting anonymity. “Justice must be served, and no one will be shielded.”
Yet, many stakeholders remain skeptical, citing past incidents that ended without resolution or accountability.
The Ogboji massacre has renewed calls for justice in the case of Fabian Ugo, a 26-year-old Ebonyi indigene reportedly tortured to death in Onitsha by operatives of Operation Udo-Gachi. His death on June 13, 2025, drew national attention and sparked protests in both Ebonyi and Anambra.
A fact-finding meeting held on June 18 included Fabian’s family, legal representatives, the anti-touting unit, and key stakeholders such as Chief Moses Ogbonna, President-General of Izhi Nnodo Ekumaenyi in Anambra and CEO of Mosfrank International Company Ltd. During the meeting, representatives of the outfit allegedly admitted involvement and proposed an out-of-court settlement—an offer that was categorically rejected.
Two suspects from Operation Udo-Gachi have since been arrested and may face trial.
In Ebonyi, grief has morphed into peaceful resistance. Candlelight vigils, solidarity marches, and legal fundraisers have taken place across Izzi, Ezza, Ikwo, and Afikpo regions. Community leaders and activists are calling for an end to targeted violence against their people and demanding justice for both the Ogboji victims and Fabian Ugo.
Apostle Igbudu Chukwuemeka Nweze, a respected figure in the Ebonyi Welfare Central Executive in Anambra, addressed mourners during a vigil: “This is not a call for retaliation—it is a plea for justice. No life is expendable. We will pursue every legal avenue to ensure justice is not just done, but seen to be done.”
Legal teams from Ebonyi State, in collaboration with national human rights organizations, are compiling evidence and liaising with federal agencies. Videos from the crime scene, medical reports, and survivor testimonies are being reviewed. International human rights observers have expressed interest in monitoring both the Ogboji and Ugo cases.
Chief Moses Ogbonna reiterated the legal position of the Izzi community: “We’re not looking for settlements or backdoor appeasement. We want arrests. We want convictions. We want justice.”
The implications of these incidents go beyond regional politics. Barr. Augusta Nwankwo, a constitutional lawyer, warned that the nation is facing a constitutional crisis if citizens cannot safely reside or assemble outside their state of origin.
“This is not only a moral issue—it’s a constitutional emergency,” she stated. “The right to life, movement, and peaceful assembly are guaranteed under the Constitution. A state where those rights cannot be enforced is a failed one.”
Though diplomatic, the tone between Governors Soludo and Nwifuru is tense. With longstanding ties between Anambra and Ebonyi built on shared culture, trade, and intermarriage—there is mounting pressure to de-escalate tensions while ensuring justice is served.
Governor Nwifuru’s final word on the matter remains pointed: “This cannot be swept under the carpet. Our people deserve answers, and they will get them.”
As the victims are mourned and legal proceedings begin, Nigeria watches closely. Will the perpetrators of the Ogboji massacre and the killers of Fabian Ugo be prosecuted? Or will their names join a long list of forgotten victims?
For the people of Ebonyi, this is no longer just about two incidents—it is a referendum on whether the Nigerian state values their lives. For the nation, it is a test of conscience and commitment to the rule of law. The time to act is now.
