Anambra Killings: Former IPOB/Kanu’s  Lawyer Asks Anambrarians To Rise And Confront The Devils

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Anambra residents have been urged to get fully involved in the fight against criminality, terrorism and sundry criminal activities in the State.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, former Lead Counsel to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its detained Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who made the call on Tuesday December, 31, 2024, expressed serious concern that Anambra state has fallen under unprecedented  siege.

Ejiofor called on Governor Charles Soludo to shift focus from Media narratives to the real business of tackling the  unprecedented security challenges currently besetting the state.

Ejiofor’s admonishment is coming against the backdrop of the gruesome killings of two security operatives and five others on Monday, December, 30, at a funeral ceremony in Ihiala Local Council of the State by gunmen .

The Anambra State Police Command which disclosed the unfortunate incident in a statement late Monday, however, was not specific as to which of the security agencies was involved in the incident, which occurred at about 11.30 am.

Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police authorities,Tochukwu Ikenga, SP, who issued the statement, noted that the hoodlums who stormed the venue when the burial programme was already in progress, started shooting sporadically, and killed seven victims.

According to him, several others were also injured, when mourners were scampering for safety.

“Also, while escaping the scene, the armed men shot at two security operatives at a security observation post close to the Ihiala Local Government Headquarters by the express road.

The unfortunate attack resulted in the death of seven persons ,among which were two unarmed passersby”, Ikenga stated.

Instructively, Monday’s attack, remains yet another in the plethora of violent and criminal activities that have dogged the landscape of Anambra State in the last few months.

The attacks have, also, resulted in several mindless deaths of innocent persons and wanton destructions of both private and public facilities, worth several billions of Naira.

A few days before the Ihiala attack, the state and security agencies had been hard put ,trying to resolve the riddles behind the abduction of Hon Justice Azuka, Labour Party,  LP State Lawmaker  in the State House of Assembly and the gruesome killing of a Catholic Priest Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo

While Rev Okonkwo was felled by gunmen on December, 26, along Onitsha/Owerri road, Hon Azuka was abducted on Ugwunpampa road Onitsha on the eve of the Christmas.

The former IPOB lawyer, while reacting to the Ihiala attack, described as tragic and unspeakable atrocities the mindless killings of unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to him, the latest unprovoked attacks and murders are a sad reminder of the siege Anambra State is presently under .

“Watching those harrowing clips, I am filled with grief and outrage. My heart bleeds”, he stated.

He insisted  that the State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, should, as a matter of urgent, necessity, frontally confront those who have been spilling innocent blood in the State .

Similarly, he tasked residents, to take the bull by the horn and join hands with the authorities in protecting lives and properties.

“The call is a call for decisive and collective action. The weakened state security apparatus alone cannot bear the burden .

“Every able-bodied son of Anambra must rise to the challenge, joining forces in a determined effort to eradicate these predators who exploit every opportunity to terrorize and retreat into their dens .

“As we close the year on this heart-wrenching note, our resolve must be unwavering and resolute. It is unacceptable to continue tolerating the political compromises that endanger the lives of our people.

“These criminals are no strangers. they are shielded by those within our communities.The state must deploy every available resources to protect its citizens.

“Anambra state cannot remain a safe haven for such heinous acts .The time for lip service is over. Enough is enough.” Ejiofor stated