The late Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu’s widow, Bianca Ojukwu, has revealed that there is a mass grave in Anambra State.
In a statement headed “A mass grave site discovered in Anambra sealed off for forensic investigation,” Ojukwu made this claim on her Facebook page on Tuesday.
The location of the mass burial was not disclosed by the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, but she did say that the Commission of Inquiry was informed of its discovery through testimonies.
According to the testimony of the witnesses who testified before the Anambra Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission, about 322 people have been confirmed as slain or declared deceased as a result of violence, she continued.
Chukwuma Soludo, the state governor, established the Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission in June 2022 to investigate the violent agitations and restiveness in the state and the South East.
“We are living in alarming and anxiety-inducing times, but we prayed to God to heal our land,” Bianca continued.
The public hearing for the Anambra Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission’s second phase is already over.
A total of 39 witnesses who testified under oath were questioned by our commission, which was led by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, and 243 exhibits were gathered throughout the proceedings.
“During the marathon sittings that took place from October 26 to November 3, 2023, the commission also met with 31 petitioners, comprising 11 organizations, 19 communities, and one individual.”
The former ambassador said, “As reported by the witnesses, 322 people were confirmed to have been killed or killed as a result of violence, but a great number remain unaccounted for or have had their whereabouts unknown.
Eighteen people have been definitively declared missing or presumed missing. Testimonies during the hearings brought the commission’s attention to the horrifying finding of a mass grave site.
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the panel chairman, ordered that the site of the alleged mass burial be blocked off so that pathologists could conduct a forensic examination. This will assist in identifying the victims and determining how they died.
“Earlier this year, in June and July, the TJP commission conducted the first phase of its public hearing, during which we examined 24 petitions and met with 48 witnesses from 14 communities around the state who testified under oath over the course of a 10-day hearing.”
“A Bureau of Missing Persons has already been established in the state to document the missing and the circumstances of their disappearance,” Ojukwu continued. This was the commission’s recommendation.
The press secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, stated that no official report had been submitted on the occurrence when asked if the state administration was aware of it.
“It seems that she is discussing the operations of the Truth and Justice Commission, which Governor Soludo established. Prof. Odinkalu is the chairman of this commission, and she serves as secretary,” stated Aburime. Until the state government receives an official report, I am unable to comment on this.
When questioned about the development, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson, did not answer questions.
