Anambra Truth Commission Discovers Mass Grave – Bianca Ojukwu

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

In a statement posted on her Facebook page titled “A Mass Grave Site Uncovered in Anambra and Sealed for Forensic Investigation,” Ojukwu disclosed the existence of the mass grave.

Although the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain did not disclose the specific location of the grave site, she indicated that the Commission of Inquiry became aware of its existence through witness testimonies.

According to her, the testimonies of witnesses who appeared before the Anambra Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission indicated that approximately 322 individuals had been confirmed as deceased due to acts of violence.

The Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission was established by the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, in June 2022 to investigate the violent agitations and unrest in the state and the South East region.

Expanding on the matter, Bianca stated, “We are currently living in deeply troubling and anxiety-inducing times, but we have prayed for divine healing for our land.”

She also reported that the Anambra Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission had successfully completed its second phase of public hearings.

The commission, under the leadership of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, heard testimony from a total of 39 witnesses who testified under oath, and they collected 243 exhibits during the proceedings.

Furthermore, the commission engaged with 31 petitioners, including 11 organizations, 19 communities, and one individual, during a series of hearings that took place from October 26 to November 3, 2023.

Ojukwu further disclosed, “A total of 322 individuals have been verified as victims of violence according to the witnesses, while many others remain missing or their fate remains uncertain.

“Eighteen individuals have been definitively identified as missing or disappeared. During the proceedings, the shocking discovery of a mass grave was revealed through witness testimonies, prompting Chairman Prof. Chidi Odinkalu to order the site’s sealing for forensic investigation by pathologists. This investigation aims to uncover the identities of the victims and the circumstances of their deaths.

“The TJP commission previously conducted its first phase of public hearings between June and July of this year, during which they considered 24 petitions and heard the testimony of 48 witnesses who testified under oath from 14 different communities in the state over a ten-day period.”

In addition, Ojukwu noted, “As recommended by this commission, a Bureau of Missing Persons has been established in the state to document cases of individuals who are missing and provide information on the circumstances of their disappearance.”

When questioned about whether the state government was aware of this development, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, stated that a formal report had yet to be presented to the government.

Aburime added, “She is likely referring to the activities of the Truth and Justice Commission established by Governor Soludo, chaired by Prof. Odinkalu, of which she serves as the secretary. I cannot comment on this until a formal report is presented to the state government.”

The police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to inquiries when contacted regarding this matter.