Tragedy In Anambra: Soludo Approves ₦15 Million For Mass Burial Of 43 Victims

The cheque was presented to the President General of the Ogwuaniocha Progressive Association, Mr. Vitalis Ekweanua, by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya, who was accompanied by other community stakeholders.

Commending the community for its steps towards peace, Ifeanya assured residents of Governor Soludo’s commitment to bringing developmental projects to Ogwuaniocha. He emphasized that the state government would ensure the community receives all its entitlements as a host to oil exploration activities.

In his remarks, Ekweanua revealed that the community had already conducted the mass burial on April 20, 2025, having initially sourced funds independently to honor the deceased. While appreciating the state government’s ₦15 million support, he lamented that the community remains abandoned and in ruins.

“Ogwuaniocha is still deserted. Our children are out of school because all our educational facilities, both primary and secondary, were destroyed during the crisis,” he said.

“Ninety percent of homes, including mine as President General, were destroyed beyond repair. Our healthcare centers are no longer functioning. We are in a state of despair and urgently need the intervention of our ‘Solution’ governor.”

Ekweanua also raised concerns about the activities of an oil company operating in the area. He stated that since the company began operations, farming and fishing have been impossible due to oil spills, and no compensation has been provided.

“For the past three years, we’ve lived in fear, hunger, and sorrow. Our traditional ruler, kidnapped during the 2021 crisis under the previous administration of Governor Willie Obiano, remains missing.”

He appealed to Governor Soludo to extend more infrastructural and developmental support to the community, including the reconstruction of destroyed public facilities and the construction of a bridge across the Ulasi River to connect Umunankwo to Ihiala Local Government Area.

“With this support, I believe Ogwuaniocha can begin to reclaim its lost glory,” he concluded.