Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council condemns the recent killings in Ebonyi State, demanding justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators
The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has voiced outrage over the brutal killings of several individuals in an Ebonyi State community by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
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A disturbing viral video shows lifeless bodies scattered across the scene, with villagers wailing in despair.
According to local sources, the killings were allegedly in retaliation for the suspected killing of cattle by the villagers. Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has condemned the attack, attributing it to “strangers.”
In response to the attack, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, demanded that those responsible face justice.
He condemned the killings as “unwarranted, mindless, and provocative” and stated that the only way to address the anger of the Igbo people would be through the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
“We are sad that the marauding bandits who disguise as herdsmen are back in our communities. This is totally unacceptable, and the perpetrators of this heinous crime must not be allowed to go scot-free,” Okwu stated.
He further stressed the need for swift action from security agencies to bring those responsible to justice.
“Our hearts are full of sorrow and pain that our men and women were cut short in their prime for no fault of theirs, except the fact that they are citizens of Nigeria,” he said. Okwu also vowed that the blood of Ndigbo would no longer be spilled with impunity.
Okwu expressed disappointment over Governor Nwifuru’s description of the assailants as “strangers,” calling it cowardly.
“Why not call a spade by its name? Who is he afraid of?” Okwu asked, urging the governor and other political leaders to stop politicising the issue and instead take decisive action to protect their people.
The group also called for adequate compensation for the families of the victims and insisted that the state government take full responsibility for ensuring justice.