Mmesoma’s killing: Odii offers to pay hospital bills of reprisal attack victims

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State for the 2027 election, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, has offered to offset hospital bills of victims of the recent violence between people of Anambra and Ebonyi states, while pledging food supplies to affected families and communities.

Odii, who condemned the killings and reprisal attacks that followed the murder of Miss Mmesoma, said his intervention was aimed at providing relief to victims and restoring peace between the two neighbouring states.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Emma Igwe, the businessman expressed sadness over the development, describing the attacks and threats against innocent people as unacceptable.

He said there was no justification for taking innocent lives in the name of revenge, stressing that criminal responsibility should not be extended to entire communities.

“The murder of Mmesoma is condemnable, just as the reported killing of two Ebonyi men and the continued threats against other persons are equally unacceptable. Criminal responsibility must be individual, not collective. No community should be made to suffer for the alleged offence of an individual,” he said.

As part of his humanitarian intervention, Odii offered to pay hospital bills incurred by victims receiving treatment as a result of the violence on both sides.

He also pledged to provide bags of rice and other essential food items to affected families and communities to cushion the hardship caused by the crisis.

The statement said the gesture was a demonstration of his commitment to humanity and peaceful coexistence beyond political, ethnic and geographical boundaries.

“It is not an endorsement of violence or an attempt to interfere with ongoing investigations. Rather, it is a demonstration that human life and suffering transcend ethnic and state boundaries,” he said.

Odii appealed to the people of both states, particularly youths and community leaders, to exercise restraint and resist reprisal attacks.

He also urged the Anambra State Government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to urgently deploy security and administrative measures to protect vulnerable residents and prevent further bloodshed.

He called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the initial murder and subsequent attacks, insisting that justice must prevail.

The businessman further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to promote reconciliation.

Describing Anambra and Ebonyi as sister states whose people had shared commercial, cultural and family ties for generations, he warned against allowing the crisis to destroy their longstanding relationship.

“Any political ambition, ethnic sentiment or personal grievance is not worth the blood of an innocent Nigerian,” he said.

He also urged the media and social media users to avoid inflammatory publications and unverified reports capable of escalating tensions.

“Anambra and Ebonyi are brothers, not enemies,” he declared.

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