Ebonyi Survivor Recounts Deadly Attack in Anambra That Left 11 Dead

A survivor of the brutal attack that claimed the lives of at least eleven Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji, Anambra State, has shared a harrowing account of the incident. The survivor, Onuoha Godwin, a member of the Ebonyi State Welfare Association in Ogboji, sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and stomach but managed to survive the assault.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Godwin described how the attackers stormed a meeting of the Ebonyi State Welfare Association on the evening of Monday, June 30. The group was wrapping up its general meeting when the armed men arrived and began shooting indiscriminately.

“We used to have our meeting twice a month. That day was our general meeting. Towards evening, as we were about to close, some people with guns came in. We thought they were policemen coming for mass arrests. We didn’t know they came to kill,” he said.

According to Godwin, the gunmen immediately demanded to know the whereabouts of Augustine Odogwu, chairman of the Ogboji branch of the association. They ordered everyone to lie down and then singled out Godwin for questioning.

“They dragged me up and asked what kind of meeting we were having. I told them it was the general meeting of Ebonyi indigenes. They said we were kicking against them and shot me,” he recounted.

Godwin said the attackers threatened him again, demanding he identify the chairman. Fearing for his life, he pointed out Augustine Odogwu, who was then brought forward and shot dead on the spot. Godwin was shot a second time shortly after.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities have yet to release an official statement. Meanwhile, writer and Ebonyi native Nwoba Chika Nwoba responded on Facebook, dismissing claims that the killings were an ethnic conflict between Anambra and Ebonyi residents.