From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Following the gruesome murder of four persons including a pregnant woman by Gov Charles Soludo backed Ocha brigade, the Labour Party (LP) flag bearer, Dr George Moghalu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart have condemned the killing.
Dr Moghalu in a press statement said that he received with deep shock and profound sadness the heartbreaking news of the killing of four innocent citizens, including a pregnant woman by operatives of the government-backed OCHA Brigade.
“From Udogachi to Aka Ọdọ, and now Ocha Bridge, Anambra has been witnessing a disturbing pattern of killings and violence.
“This is no longer governance; this is tragedy. For the past three years, our state has been drowning in negative headlines—killings, bloodshed, kidnapping, and fear everywhere.
“Our people no longer feel safe going to the market, walking the streets, or even sitting in their own homes. We are now living on a battlefield, where citizens are gunned down not by criminals in the bush, but by those wearing government uniforms.
“This is not the Anambra of our dreams. How long shall we continue like this? How long shall the lives of our people be wasted by a government that has no compassion, empathy, or conscience? A government that cannot protect its citizens has no moral right to ask for their votes.
“I condemn, in the strongest terms, this reckless use of force in collecting levies. Let it be known that under a Labour Party government, such barbarity will never be tolerated.
“No government agency will bear arms, aside from vigilantes. Security will not mean oppression. Government will not arm thugs in uniforms against its own people. We will value life, protect dignity, and restore peace,” he assured.
As a mark of respect and solidarity with the grieving families and Ndi Anambra, Dr Moghalu has suspended his community and market campaign tours for one week.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Rt Hon Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu has condemned the manner in which precious lives are being wasted in Anambra State by non-state actors.
He said that the situation has become alarming and reprehensible noting that in one breath, it is Ndiakaodo maiming people, and in another, it is Udogachi or Agunechemba incapacitating innocent citizens.
“The tragic incident in Onitsha on Tuesday, where four invaluable lives were lost due to the brazen recklessness of Ocha Brigade operatives, calls for very serious interrogation.
“While we urge Ndi Anambra to resist the temptation of taking laws into their own hands, we also call on Governor Soludo to remember the oath he swore to guarantee the security of lives and property in our dear state.
“As a matter of urgency, we urge the Inspector General of Police and the Director,DSS to ensure that the culprits behind this dastardly act face the full weight of the law.
“The time to curb the excesses of non State actors used by Governor Soludo to intimidate the people is now..
“Government has a sacred responsibility to protect its citizens—not to annihilate them. Governor Soludo should either wake up from his security slumber or throw in the towel.
“When we say that security has broken down in Anambra State, these recurring incidents stand as grim evidence,” he asserted.
He pointed out that his administration has plan for the security of lives and property in Anambra State that goes far beyond Soludo’s rhetoric.
“We will deploy digital and IT-led surveillance, complemented with kinetic approaches where necessary. To us, every life matters in Anambra State, and we will spare nothing to protect our people,” he concluded.