By Ovat Abeng
Nawfia Community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, has distance itself from the recent killings that claimed three lives and many others injured in the area.
The community in a press statement jointly signed by it Traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Daniel Obelle and the President General, Chief Daniel Okoye, and made available to Journalists in Awka, on Tuesday, urged the Police and other security agencies in the state to swing into action and arrest the perpetrators of the violent incident and their sponsors to serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded persons in the future.
It was gathered that the community were reacting following the killings that took place at Agu Anaocha Axis of Ifite Nawfia, a boundary village between Nawfia and Enugwu-Enugwu-Ukwu community both in Njokoka Local Government Area of the State, on 9th September, 2024.
It was also gathered that the victims were lured via phone calls to the scene and were each executed gangland style.
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Reacting further via the press statement, the leaders strongly denounced the use of violence to settle disputes and described the incident as an “abomination of the highest order.”
They emphasized that Nawfia town values peace and dialogue, and its people are law-abiding citizens who believe in due process.
The statement criticized Dr. Uche Nworah of Enugwu Ukwu for making “hasty insinuations” that the perpetrators were from Nawfia, without waiting for a proper police investigation.
The leaders described Dr. Nworah’s comments as “inciteful, prejudicial, provocative, specious, and insensitive” to the sensibilities of Ndi Nawfia, aimed at raising tension for unknown purposes.
The leaders claimed that their investigation did not suggest any involvement of Nawfia individuals in the violent episode.
They stated that the unwholesome activities of land grabbers and speculators in Agu Anaocha axis have been documented and brought to the attention of the Anambra State government for necessary action.
The statement commiserated with the families of the victims and wished those in the hospital a quick recovery.
The leaders equally prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace and urged that such an ugly incident would not re-occur.
Meanwhile, police authorities in the State have confirmed the killings, saying it would go after those responsible for the attack.
A press statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has order investigation into the murder.
He said the incident happened at about 2pm on Monday at the boundary between the two communities.
He said: “Preliminary information reveals the victims were lured by some individuals through a phone call to the land in guise of a land transaction and attacked with guns and matchet.
“CP has sued for calm as police operatives have recovered the abandoned Sienna vehicle used by the murders.
“Also, the testimonies of the injured victims who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital is aiding the investigation while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.”
