Nwoye condemns ‘conspiracy of silence’ over Enugu assassinations

The immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, has condemned what he termed a “conspiracy of silence” among the people of the state in the wake of the brutal assassinations of key figures.

Nwoye stated that the brutal killing on Saturday night of Chief Stephen Aniagu, the leader of Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, should not be ignored.

According to him, Aniagu’s brutal murder by assassins in broad daylight serves as a painful reminder that criminal elements in and around Enugu State have continued their violent enterprises, targeting and murdering politicians, emerging leaders, and community figures.

“It is even more distressing to realise that the 48-hour deadline given to security agencies to solve this crime has passed, and there is still no lead on the perpetrators of this heinous act,” Nwoye said.

He expressed his frustrations over the growing number of unresolved murder cases in the state, noting that security agencies remain inactive while citizens withhold vital information.

“The gruesome murder case file is gradually becoming yet another cold case tucked away by the Enugu State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department. All we hear is the same old mantra: ‘We are on top of the situation’ and ‘The killers will be brought to justice.’

“We heard these same reassurances in 2018 when I narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in my sleep. My police orderly, however, was not so fortunate; he was shot in the temple but survived due to miraculous medical intervention funded by me.

“As if this wasn’t enough, Kevin Ezeoha and Chidera Ogaba were shot dead in broad daylight while attending an APC meeting. Despite the loud proclamations from security agencies, there have been no arrests, detentions, prosecutions, or convictions of those responsible.

“These same killers went on a murderous rampage just two days before the 2023 general elections, taking the lives of Chief Oyibo Chukwu and his driver and then setting their bodies ablaze. Again, security forces made a lot of noise promising to bring the perpetrators to justice, but nothing has come of it. The killers of Oyibo Chukwu and his driver are still at large.”

He added: “On the same day Oyibo Chukwu was murdered, bloodthirsty assassins also killed the driver of Ofor Chukwuegbo. As if the deaths of Oyibo Chukwu and others weren’t enough, a few months later, Enugu State lost yet another prominent figure, Chief Dons Udeh. The security agencies followed the same path, making empty promises to track down his killers.

The former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, even pledged N5 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Chief Dons Udeh’s murderers. Yet again, his death remains unsolved.

“Now, with the murder of the OMMATA Chairman just one week before the local council election, we hear the same rhetoric. I had hoped this would be an exception, but with the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum and no news of arrests, I am left hopelessly disappointed.”