The Nsugbe community in Anambra State has accused the state government and security agencies of failing to deliver justice one year after the brutal murders of Prince Chigozie Anyansi and his younger brother, Chukwura.
The brothers were assassinated on November
22, 2023, allegedly by suspected members of the neighboring Umueri community,
amid a long-standing land dispute.
Despite public promises and
high-profile meetings, the lack of progress in the investigation has left the
victims’ family and community bitterly disappointed.
The family and community marked
the one-year anniversary of the killings with a solemn remembrance service held
at the brothers’ grave site in their family compound. The event was attended by
grieving relatives, community leaders, and local youth groups. Short prayers
for the repose of the brothers’ souls were offered, accompanied by messages of
condolence and renewed calls for justice.
Prince Kenneth Anyansi, elder
brother to the victims, spoke of his family’s anguish. “For a whole year, we
have been asking for answers. Instead, we have been met with silence. It feels
as if our cries are falling on deaf ears,” he said, visibly emotional.
Miss Onyinye Anyansi, their
sister, accused both the Anambra State Government and law enforcement of gross
negligence. “They assured us of justice, but those responsible for this heinous
crime are still walking free. How can we trust a system that seems to
prioritize politics over human lives?”
The President General of the
Nsugbe Development Union (NDU) expressed disappointment at what he described as
a lackadaisical attitude by the authorities. He questioned the commitment of
law enforcement and state officials to resolving the case.
“Investigations have stalled,
and the suspects who were arrested are no longer in custody. This is
unacceptable,” he said. “The government must act decisively to restore our faith
in the justice system.”
The President of the Nsugbe
Youth Assembly (NYA), Engr. Chidi Obiudu, also voiced his concerns in a
strongly worded statement. “This marks a sober anniversary for Nsugbe,” he
said. “The assassinations of Prince Chigozie and Chukwura were not just attacks
on one family but on our entire community. The failure to deliver justice only
emboldens those who thrive on violence and lawlessness.”
Obiudu revealed that several
meetings mediated by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, had failed to
produce tangible results. He added that the community had refrained from
retaliatory actions, hoping the government would take its responsibilities
seriously.
“Our patience is not infinite,”
he warned. “We are peace-loving people, but we cannot continue to wait
indefinitely while our brothers’ killers live freely among us.”
The Nsugbe community has
outlined specific demands, including the immediate re-arrest and prosecution of
suspects linked to the murders. They are also calling for compensation and
support for the Anyansi family, as well as broader efforts to address the
underlying tensions between Nsugbe and Umueri.
The killings have underscored
the challenges of addressing intercommunal disputes in Anambra State, where
disagreements over land ownership frequently escalate into violence.
The Anambra State Government,
led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has been under pressure to demonstrate a
stronger commitment to resolving the case. However, critics argue that the
administration’s “Solution Agenda” has yet to provide answers to the Anyansi
family or deter future acts of violence.
Community members have also
criticized the police for what they perceive as a compromised investigation.
“This is not just about the Anyansi brothers,” said a local elder. “It’s about
showing that no life is expendable, and no crime will go unpunished. Right now,
we are losing faith in the very institutions meant to protect us.”
Engr. Obiudu and other
community leaders are urging well-meaning Nigerians and human rights
organizations to join their call for justice. “The memory of Chigozie and
Chukwura deserves truth and justice,” Obiudu said. “We cannot allow their
deaths to be forgotten or treated as just another statistic.”
As the Anyansi family continues
to mourn, their community is left grappling with grief, frustration, and an
unsettling question: how long will they have to wait for justice?
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