Bianca Ojukwu exposes mass grave in Anambra

Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has revealed the presence of a mass grave in Anambra State.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page titled, “Discovery of a Mass Grave Site in Anambra Sealed for Forensic Investigation,” Ojukwu did not disclose the specific location of the grave but indicated that its existence came to light through testimonies presented to the Commission of Inquiry.

She further noted that approximately 322 individuals were confirmed to have been killed or deceased due to violence, as testified by witnesses who appeared before the Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission. This commission was established by the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, in June 2022, with the objective of investigating the violent unrest and agitations in the state and the South East.

Providing additional details, Bianca explained, “We are living in alarming and anxiety-inducing times, but we prayed to God to heal our land. The Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission has concluded its second phase of public hearings.”

Ojukwu went on to mention that during this phase, the commission, led by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, heard testimony from 39 witnesses who testified under oath, collected 243 exhibits, and engaged with 31 petitioners, including 11 organizations, 19 communities, and one individual. The hearings took place from October 26 to November 3, 2023.

She emphasized, “Some 322 persons were verified as killed or dead as a result of violence as testified by the witnesses while so many are still missing or their fate not yet verified. 18 persons have been categorically identified as missing or disappeared. In the course of the proceedings, the gruesome discovery of a mass grave site was brought by testimonies to the attention of the commission.”

Ojukwu added that Chairman Prof. Chidi Odinkalu mandated the sealing of the suspected mass grave site for forensic investigation by pathologists to determine the identities of the victims and the circumstances of their deaths.

Moreover, she mentioned that a Bureau of Missing Persons, as recommended by the commission, has been established in the state to document cases of missing individuals and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

When asked about the awareness of these developments within the state government, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, noted that a formal report had not yet been presented. The police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.