Group condemns lady’s murder in Anambra

Humanitarian and development-focused group, the Ebonyi Prestigious Club has condemned the alleged killing of a lady, Mmesoma Umeorini by one 29-year-old Chima Ofoeke, in Uga, in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, who claimed to hail from Ebonyi State.

The group observed that no individual has the right to take another’s life, describing the incident as both barbaric and inhumane.

In a statement signed by its President, Moses Ugboh, on Tuesday, the EPC also condemned the reported attacks on the people of Ebonyi State in Anambra State following the Uga incident and called on relevant authorities to expedite action towards addressing the ugly development.

The group further called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to liaise with his counterpart in Anambra State to halt the alleged attacks and unravel both the remote and immediate causes of the incidents in the state.

The statement read, “The attention of the Ebonyi Prestigious Club, Abakaliki has been drawn with deep concern to the homicide incident in Uga, Anambra State, and the disturbing reports and videos circulating thereafter calling for the expulsion and unleashing violence on innocent Ebonyians residing in Anambra.

“As a responsible club, we condemn in its entirety this heinous act of criminality. No society thrives where human life is taken without recourse to law, and we unequivocally state that murder in whatever guise is barbaric, condemnable, and alien to the values of the Ebonyi people.

“While we await full and credible facts surrounding the incident in Uga, we firmly hold that crime is individual and not collective. It would therefore amount to crudity and a descent into primitivity for any person or group to visit the sin of one man, even if proven, upon innocent Ebonyians living peacefully in the community who have no connection whatsoever to the alleged crime.

“The reported threats, protests demanding that Abakaliki people leave Anambra, and rumoured reprisal attacks on law-abiding citizens are unlawful, inhumane, and capable of igniting an inter-state crisis that will serve no one.

“We call on the law enforcement agencies and the Governments of Anambra and Ebonyi States to ensure that the alleged perpetrator, if found culpable, is made to face the full wrath of the law in accordance with due process. Ebonyi as a State and her people are innocent of this crime.”

It added, “The attempt by a few misguided individuals to use this unfortunate incident as propaganda to incite hatred and justify lethal attacks against Ebonyians must be investigated and checked. Hateful utterances from a few individuals should not be pinned on an entire State, as every society has its own black sheep.

“We passionately appeal to all Ebonyians, especially those in rural communities of Anambra State, to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, and not to be provoked into retaliation. We also urge our brothers and sisters in Anambra to see this as a moment for justice, not jungle justice. An injury to one is an injury to all, and at this critical time, we must join voices to condemn all forms of extra-judicial killing and ethnic profiling.

“Finally, we use this opportunity to call on the Ebonyi State Government to intensify efforts towards addressing the root causes that expose our people to vulnerability and stigmatization outside the State, particularly through massive empowerment, job creation and institutionalized sensitization. The image of our dear State must be deliberately rebuilt. We stand in solidarity with all innocent.

“Ebonyians affected and call for peace, justice and the protection of lives and property of every Nigerian, regardless of State of origin.”