Get Guardian on GoogleGovernorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 elections in Ebonyi State, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii has urged indigenes of Ebonyi and Anambra States not to destroy the longstanding brotherhood, commercial relationships and cultural affinity between the two neighbouring states over the recent killing of Miss Mmesoma Umeorini.
The arrest of Chima Ofoeke, an indigene of Ebonyi State for the killing of Mmesoma at Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of the state by the police, had sparked off unrests and reprisals with calls by certain indigenes asking Ebonyi people to quit the area. Two Ebonyi indigenes have reportedly been killed in the reprisal attacks.
Perturbed by the development, Odii in a statement on Monday by his Spokesperson, Emma Igwe, condemned the reprisal killings, and called for calm among those involved.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate development and strongly condemn the killings, attacks and threats against innocent persons on both sides.
“There can never be any justification for taking innocent human lives under the guise of revenge. The murder of Miss Mmesoma is condemnable, just as the reported killing of two Ebonyi men and the continued threats against other persons are equally unacceptable. Criminal responsibility must be individual, not collective. No community should be made to suffer for the alleged offence of an individual”, Odii said
He appealed passionately to the people of Anambra and Ebonyi States, particularly youths and community leaders, to exercise maximum restraint and resist every temptation to embark on reprisal attacks.
“We must not allow the criminal actions of individuals to destroy the longstanding brotherhood, commercial relationships and cultural affinity between our two neighbouring states.
“Anambra and Ebonyi are sister states whose people have lived, traded, married and conducted businesses together for generations. We cannot afford to allow the unfortunate actions of a few individuals to turn neighbours into enemies”, he said
He called on Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to urgently intervene and deploy all necessary security and administrative measures to stop the carnage, protect vulnerable residents and prevent further bloodshed.
He said the state government must ensure that those responsible for the initial murder and subsequent reprisal attacks are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Security agencies must also intensify surveillance and protect residents irrespective of their state of origin”, he added
As a demonstration of his commitment to humanity, peaceful coexistence and compassion beyond political, ethnic and geographical boundaries, Odii has offered to offset hospital bills incurred by victims receiving treatment as a result of the violence on both sides.
He is also offering to donate bags of rice and other essential food items to affected families and communities on both sides as an immediate humanitarian intervention to cushion the hardship arising from the unfortunate crisis.
He said the gesture is not an endorsement of violence or an attempt to interfere with ongoing investigations, but “a demonstration that human life and suffering transcend ethnic and state boundaries”.
He appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth organisations, religious leaders and other stakeholders in both states to work together towards reconciliation and the restoration of confidence.
He also urged Ebonyi people living in Anambra and Anambra people living in Ebonyi to remain calm, protect one another and refuse to be instruments of division in the hands of criminal elements.
