Soludo Offers N15m for Mass Burial of Crisis Victims
The Anambra State government has taken a significant step towards bringing closure to the Ogwuaniocha community, which was ravaged by a communal crisis in 2021.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved a sum of N15 million to support the mass burial of 43 persons who lost their lives during the crisis.
The crisis, which was triggered by the discovery of oil in the community, led to the emergence of different factions vying for control of the oil proceeds. The situation was further complicated by the kidnapping of the traditional ruler, Oliver Nnaji, in November 2021, whose whereabouts remain unknown to date.
The state Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanya, presented a cheque for the approved amount to the President-General of Ogwuaniocha Progressives Association, Vitalis Ekweanua, on behalf of the governor.
The presentation was made in the presence of community elders and stakeholders in Awka.
Ifeanya commended the community for taking steps to end the crisis and restore peace. He also disclosed the state government’s plan to visit the community with developmental projects, stating that Ogwuaniocha will receive all the benefits due to it as a host community.
The President-General of the community, Vitalis Ekweanua, expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for the gesture. He revealed that the community had already held a mass burial for the 43 deceased persons on April 20, 2025, and appreciated the state government’s support.
However, Ekweanua lamented that despite the efforts to restore peace, the community remains deserted and lacks basic infrastructure.
He appealed to the state government to provide more support in terms of development projects, stating that the community is in dire need of attention.
The N15 million support from the state government is a welcome development, but the community is seeking more tangible investments in infrastructure and human capital.
The governor’s gesture is seen as a step in the right direction, but the community is eager to see more concrete actions that will help rebuild and restore their livelihoods.
The Ogwuaniocha community has been through a traumatic experience, and the state government’s support is crucial in helping them heal and rebuild. The mass burial of the crisis victims is a significant step towards closure, but the community needs more than just financial support.
They need investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare to help them recover from the devastating effects of the crisis.
As the state government moves to implement its plans for the community, it is essential to prioritize the needs of the people and provide them with the necessary support to rebuild their lives. The governor’s visit to the community with developmental projects is a promising start, but it must be followed by concrete actions that will make a tangible difference in the lives of the people.
