Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu has refuted reports of the discovery of a mass grave containing 322 bodies in Anambra. The report, which surfaced on November 7, cited a Facebook post by Mrs Ojukwu, who serves as the Secretary to the Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission (ATJPC), as the basis for the claim.
Mrs Ojukwu clarified that while a suspected mass grave had been uncovered and subsequently sealed off for forensic investigation, the precise number of individuals interred there had not been confirmed. She explained that the figure of 322 mentioned in the reports refers to the total number of individuals verified as deceased or killed due to various acts of violence within Anambra, as testified by witnesses during the Commission’s hearings.
Emphasizing that the actual number of bodies at the site remains uncertain and can only be determined through meticulous forensic procedures, Mrs Ojukwu stated, βThis figure represents the number of persons verified as killed or dead as a result of violence within Anambra. The number of bodies contained within this site is yet to be ascertained, and can only be known after a painstaking process of forensic investigation, hence the site has been sealed off.β
Furthermore, Mrs Ojukwu disclosed that while 18 persons have been identified as missing or unaccounted for, the ATJPC has established a Bureau of Missing Persons within the Ministry of Justice for individuals to report cases of missing relatives or friends.
It is pertinent to note that the ATJPC has urged caution in disseminating information and has underscored the need for precision in conveying the facts regarding the situation in Anambra. There is an ongoing effort to establish the actual details concerning the suspected mass grave, and the Commission remains resolute in seeking the truth behind the reported incidents.
This clarification aims to provide an accurate account of the Commission’s position, dispelling any misconceptions that may have arisen from previous reports. The ATJPC reiterates the importance of factual and responsible reporting in addressing sensitive matters of public interest.
