Grief and fury gripped the Unwuekumenyi United Youths Forum Worldwide on Thursday as the group publicly released the names of 11 Ebonyi State indigenes murdered in the Igboji community of Orumba South LGA, Anambra State.
Addressing the press in Abakaliki, the forum’s national president, Prince Uche Ali Ega, broke down in tears as he confirmed that 11 people were shot dead and 7 others severely injured during what was described as an unprovoked attack during a routine monthly meeting.
The victims—many of whom hailed from Ikwo, Izzi, and Ezza LGAs—were identified as:
- Ikechukwu Nwafor
- Uchenna Alegu
- Sunday Ugada
- Sunday Ofim N
- Nwonicha (all from Ikwo)
- Peacemaker (Ezza)
- Clement, Chidera1, Chidera2, Sunday Nwede, and Monday Electrician (all from Izzi)
Those wounded include Augustine Odom, Nwafor Chibueze, Ikechukwu Nwakpu, Sunday Ede, Felix Nwerige, and Anthony Egbo—all now receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.
Ali Ega condemned what he called a disturbing pattern of “ethnic profiling, humiliation, and targeted attacks” against Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra. “This is not an isolated tragedy. It’s a reflection of an escalating hostility towards our people,” he said.
He cited previous killings, including that of Chinedu Ohaji, shot dead in Oko on June 19, and Master Fabian Ugo, allegedly killed by a local vigilante in Onitsha in early June while relieving himself.
“Our people are being hunted in broad daylight. The trauma is unending. Anambra must not become a graveyard for Ndi Ebonyi,” Ega said.
He called on Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State and the Inspector General of Police to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings. He also praised Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for his “bold, proactive” response and urged continued pressure from the six Ebonyi federal lawmakers who raised the matter at the National Assembly.
In a strongly worded appeal, the group demanded an end to all discrimination and violence against Ebonyi people in Anambra. “We have welcomed Ndi Anambra in Ebonyi with dignity. We expect the same brotherhood in return,” he said, invoking the Igbo spirit of onye aghana nwanne ya—let no one abandon their brother.
The statement concluded with a call for urgent dialogue between communities and decisive action by security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.
As tensions simmer, the killings have ignited broader concerns about regional mistrust and rising insecurity in the South-East. The victims, many of them ordinary artisans and traders, had gathered not for politics or protest—but simply to meet.
Now, their names have become a rallying cry.
