Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has expressed deep shock and utter dismay over the tragic report of the recent gruesome killing of 13 Ebonyi indigenes residing in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Nwifuru stated that the senseless act of violence against law-abiding citizens was not only barbaric but a direct assault on peace, unity, and the sanctity of human life.

According to the governor, it defied reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding meeting in a peaceful manner would be shot at a close range, saying that it was unacceptable.

This was contained in a statement issued on late hours of Tuesday night by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to journalists in Abakalili.

The statement noted that Governor Nwifuru had reached out to his counterpart and brother, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and urged for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the tragic incident.

He trusted that the Government of Anambra State and relevant security agencies would work swiftly to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice as failure or compromise had the potency to come in between the relationship of both states.

While Governor Nwifuru awaits the outcome of those investigations, he had earnestly appealed to Ebonyi people, particularly the affected families and communities, to remain calm and refrain from any form of reprisal or actions that may escalate tensions.

“Such barbarism has no place in modernity and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings.

“The administration in Ebonyi State remains committed to protecting the lives and property of Ebonyi people both at home and in the diaspora,” he said.

While vowing no sacred cows, Governor Nwifuru assured he would continue to follow the matter closely and ensure that justice was served.