Ogboji community leadership crisis behind killing of 10 people, not tribal attack, says Anambra Police in shocking statement

Ogboji community leadership crisis has been confirmed by police as the true cause of a tragic attack that left 10 people dead in Anambra State.

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The state’s Police Command has debunked claims that the killings targeted indigenes of Ebonyi State, citing a deadly dispute within a residents’ group as the catalyst.

Speaking in Awka on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, personally led a high-level joint security team to the site in Orumba South Local Government Area. The team included personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other law enforcement units.

“This was not a tribal attack,” SP Ikenga said plainly. “It was a cowardly act by enemies of peace within the community.” He further confirmed that one suspect, a male named Sunday Mbanu, had been arrested and was cooperating with investigators.

In an emotionally charged meeting with local leaders—including the Traditional Prime Minister and the President General of Ogboji—the CP revealed that tensions between two rival factions of the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes had grown dangerously volatile over time.

The dispute, which began as a leadership tussle within the group, was reported to the President General of the community but not escalated to law enforcement until it was too late.

Attempts to resolve the matter using Alternative Dispute Resolution channels unfortunately failed, resulting in the shocking violence.

According to eyewitness testimony, one of the victims was not even a member of the group but a tenant in the building where the incident occurred. The landlord’s son confirmed this detail and noted that investigations are still underway to clarify the roles of all involved.

Ogboji community leadership crisis has now raised broader concerns about unregulated community organisations operating without sufficient oversight.

Analysts suggest that this case underscores the urgent need for early conflict resolution frameworks backed by law enforcement support.

“The police cannot act on matters they are not aware of,” a senior community member commented. “If those in charge had alerted the authorities earlier, we might not be mourning now.”

The Commissioner of Police assured the community that no stone would be left unturned. “We will track all those responsible and ensure justice is served. We cannot allow such acts to go unpunished,” he declared.

While some residents initially feared the killings were part of a wider campaign against a specific ethnic group, Wednesday’s revelations appear to have quelled those anxieties. “This has brought some clarity,” said a local trader. “We were living in fear, but now we know the truth.”

Nonetheless, the emotional toll remains heavy. The town is still mourning, and the atmosphere in Ogboji is subdued. Schools remain closed, and several families have left the area out of caution.

Community leaders have pledged to work closely with security agencies moving forward. Plans are already underway to implement more structured oversight for associations operating in the region. “We cannot let history repeat itself,” the President General said solemnly.

As the investigation continues, police have called on the public to provide any information that could assist in tracking down other possible suspects. “Your cooperation can help prevent another tragedy,” SP Ikenga urged.

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In a country often divided along ethnic lines, the clarification from Anambra Police offers a rare moment of unity and truth. The tragedy in Ogboji is now a painful lesson in the consequences of unresolved local disputes—one that must not be ignored.