Emotions ran deep on Thursday as the remains of the 11 victims of the Ogboji massacre in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State were buried.
The caskets bearing the remains of the dead victims were displayed for a state commendation service by the Roman Catholic Church.
The event was held at the Unity Square, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Recall that unidentified gunmen on June 30, 2025 attacked Ebonyi State indigenes at their meeting venue and opened fire on them, killing some and seriously injuring others.
The total death was later put at 11.
Speaking during the event, Governor Francis Nwifuru described the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
Nwifuru described as most saddening the fact that none of the attackers had been identified and arrested to face the law.
He dismissed insinuations in some quarters alleging that the attackers were fellow Ebonyi State people in Anambra State, stating that preliminary investigation did not link the killers to any Ebonyi dialect.
Nwifuru added: “For me, this is not a moment of much talking.
“When the time comes, I will have much to say.
“I am seriously in pain at this moment.”
The Governor pronounced a N10 million assistance to one of the victim’s children who had been rendered orphans, having lost their mother earlier before the ugly incident.
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To the other families, Nwifuru gave assistance of N5 million each to help ameliorate their sufferings.
The total donation came to N60 million.
Preaching on the Topic: “Who can be against us?”, Rev. Fr. Joseph Orji described those who attack their fellow humans unprovoked as cowards.
He said that death is not always the end but just a transformation, emphasising that everyone, including the killers, is also liable to die.
Father Orji stressed that Jesus did not redeem humans to kill others but to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation.
He urged the bereaved families to refrain from vengeance as God has called everyone into reconciliation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Some of the widows of the slain: Blessing Akam, a mother of three; Anurika Nwafor, mother of four; Nnenna Alegu; and Chimara Ofim, a young woman of 20, who just got married to her husband in 2023 with a suckling baby, lamented that the death of their husbands have thrown them into great hardship and confusion.
Ofim, who could not hold back her tears, said the killers have deprived her of the joy of married life, stating that she had only enjoyed her marriage for just a year before the tragic incident.
They pleaded with the Ebonyi State Government not to abandon them.
Others who spoke to newsmen, including Paul Ede, Chairman, Izzi Progressive union, Onitsha branch; Ifeanyi Oko, Treasurer, Ebonyi Youth Forum in Anambra State; and Uchenna Ochor, a Board of Trustee member of Ebonyi Youth Forum in Anambra State, appreciated Governor Nwifuru for the deep concern he has continued to show to Ebonyi State indigenes in Anambra State.
Ochor stated that the leaders of Ebonyi State people in Anambra State have continued to organise themselves to complement the governor’s efforts at ensuring that peace and calm is maintained and that such incident does not occur again.
The slain Ebonyians are Ikechukwu Nwafor, Ebenezer Nwigbo, Uche Alegu, Sunday Offim and Sunday Ugada, from Ikwo Local government area; Monday Ofoke, Chideraa Utobo, Clement Ofoke, Chideraa Nwogbala and Sunday Nweke, from Izzi LGA; and Okechukwu Akam from Ezza North LGA.
The remains were later taken by their families for burial in their respective homes.
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