Ihiala, Anambra State – Following the brutal killing of seven people, including police and vigilante officers, in Ihiala, Anambra State, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, legal counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), accused the state government of putting public relations ahead of effective action to combat the escalating violence.
The gunmen, who have yet to be identified, attacked a compound that was preparing for a burial ceremony, shooting at security personnel and bystanders without regard for their identities.
Ejiofor, in a statement released yesterday, described the incident as a “glaring reminder of the siege” that Anambra is currently experiencing.
He expressed deep grief and outrage over the loss of innocent lives, describing the perpetrators as “monsters in human form.”
“Anambra is in dire straits,” Ejiofor stated. “Governor Soludo must shift the focus away from media narratives and towards the true perpetrators who desecrate our land.
The weakened state security apparatus cannot bear this burden on its own.
He urged every able-bodied Anambra citizen to work together to eliminate the “predators” who terrorise the state.
Ejiofor criticised “political compromises” that endanger the lives of Anambra residents, calling into question the value of human life and dignity.
He claimed that criminals are protected by those in their communities and urged the state to use all available resources to protect its citizens, stating that Anambra “cannot remain a haven for such heinous acts.”
“The time for lip service is over,” Ejiofor stated. “That is enough. We must act now with unity, strength, and a firm resolve to reclaim our state from these evil forces.”
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered a thorough investigation and the arrest of those responsible.
However, Ejiofor’s statement highlights residents’ growing sense of insecurity and frustration, urging the government to take concrete action to address the escalating violence.
