By Agbo Christian Obiora | Umuahia, Abia State | July 5, 2025
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a prominent environmental justice and human rights group, has issued a strongly worded condemnation following the brutal killing of 13 Ebonyi State indigenes in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Describing the massacre as “gruesome, senseless, and deeply troubling,” FENRAD expressed outrage over what it termed a gross violation of the victims’ fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, safety, and dignity as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and various international conventions.
The victims, who were reportedly traders and local laborers engaged in legitimate business activities, were allegedly attacked and killed under suspicious circumstances that have triggered shockwaves across the Southeast and beyond.
Speaking in Umuahia on Saturday, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the Executive Director of FENRAD, called for urgent, far-reaching action to ensure justice, restore public confidence, and prevent a recurrence of such tragedy.
“This horrific act is not just an attack on the victims and their families—it is an attack on our shared humanity and the very foundation of peace and coexistence in our society,” Comrade Nwafor said.
FENRAD’s 12-Point Demand: Justice, Peacebuilding, and Prevention
In a detailed press briefing, FENRAD laid out a comprehensive 12-point demand to address the incident and prevent further violence in border communities like Ogboji:
- Immediate and Transparent Investigation:
FENRAD called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the State Security Services (DSS), and other law enforcement agencies to swiftly commence an independent, transparent probe into the killings and bring all perpetrators to justice without delay. - Interstate Judicial Inquiry Panel:
The group urged the Governors of Anambra and Ebonyi States to jointly establish an independent judicial panel of inquiry to uncover the remote and immediate causes of the attack, and to recommend actionable solutions. - Compensation and Support for Families:
FENRAD demanded that the federal and Anambra State governments provide adequate compensation and psychosocial support to the grieving families of the deceased. - Proactive Peacebuilding:
Calling for long-term peacebuilding strategies, FENRAD highlighted the need to strengthen conflict prevention efforts, especially in flashpoints where inter-communal tensions are historically high. - Prosecution, Not Empty Condolences:
“While condolence messages are appreciated, what Nigerians need is concrete action. The era of rhetorical empathy must give way to accountability,” Nwafor stressed. - Early Warning Systems:
The organization urged relevant government agencies and community stakeholders to establish early warning and early response systems to detect and mitigate potential violent outbreaks in border communities. - Inter-Community Dialogue Forums:
FENRAD called for the launch of regular inter-community dialogue and reconciliation initiatives between Anambra and Ebonyi border towns to promote peace and mutual understanding. - Deployment of Neutral Security Forces:
The group recommended the deployment of impartial, well-trained security operatives—such as mobile police units or civil defense corps—to crisis-prone areas to protect lives without bias or intimidation. - Legislative Oversight and Public Hearings:
The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly of both states were urged to organize joint oversight investigations and public hearings to assess institutional failures and prevent recurrence. - NHRC Fact-Finding Mission:
FENRAD called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to immediately conduct an independent fact-finding mission and publish its findings for public scrutiny. - Victim Support Fund:
The federal and Anambra State governments were urged to create a dedicated fund under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs or the State Government to assist the families of victims with livelihood, psychosocial, and educational support. - Responsible Media Coverage:
FENRAD encouraged media organizations to keep public attention on the killings while avoiding inflammatory reports that could escalate tensions or trigger reprisals.
A Tragedy That Must Not Repeat Itself
The incident has not only raised concerns about inter-communal safety in Nigeria’s southeastern border communities but has also highlighted the urgent need for a national conversation on internal security and the protection of vulnerable populations.
According to eyewitness accounts and community leaders, tensions had simmered between neighboring border communities before the killings, but no one imagined it would escalate into such bloodshed. “This could have been prevented if there were early interventions and functional conflict resolution mechanisms,” one community elder lamented.
FENRAD warned that unless urgent action is taken, Nigeria risks sliding further into a cycle of violence fueled by unchecked communal disputes, poor intelligence gathering, and weak law enforcement responses.
“Our country must rise above ethno-political sentiments and ensure that every life is protected, regardless of state or ethnic origin. This tragedy must not be allowed to repeat itself,” Comrade Nwafor emphasized.
The Path Forward
As tension remains high in both Anambra and Ebonyi States, civil society groups, community leaders, and citizens are calling for unity, justice, and peace. Many are echoing FENRAD’s call for concrete steps, not just condolences.
While the authorities are yet to issue a full statement detailing their next steps, there are growing demands for quick results from investigations and an end to the culture of impunity that often follows such attacks.
FENRAD concluded its statement with a vow to closely monitor developments, both locally and internationally, and pursue redress mechanisms—including regional and global human rights platforms—if justice is denied or delayed.
