The Ebonyi State Government has directed the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area to, within 72 hours, produce the heads of four persons allegedly killed and ensure the safe return of four others reported missing following recent violent attacks on Okporojo Oso Edda village in Edda Local Government Area.
Governor Francis Nwifuru issued the directive on Monday night while addressing journalists at his office, Ochudo Centenary City New Government House, Abakaliki, after eight hours expanded State Security Council meeting.
The meeting, according to the governor, brought together heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, elders, founding fathers, and other critical stakeholders from the affected communities, and was convened to address the persistent violence arising from an age long land dispute between the people of Okporojo in Oso Edda, Edda local governmddent area and Ndukwe Amasiri in Afikpo local Government Area of the state.
N3wifuru said security briefings presented at the meeting confirmed that four persons lost their lives during the December 29th attacks, while four others were abducted and remain unaccounted for. He noted that the state government believes that the abducted persons may still be alive and insisted that they must be released and returned safely.
The governor further disclosed that military reports confirmed the discovery of shallow graves in the area, describing the development as disturbing and a grave threat to security, and peaceful coexistence in the state.
He warned that failure by the Amasiri community to comply with the government’s directive within the stipulated timeframe would attract tougher sanctions, stressing that the administration would not compromise its commitment to enforcing the rule of law and restoring lasting peace.
On the issue of ongoing protests and rising tensions in Amasiri, Nwifuru cautioned residents against actions capable of worsening the crisis.
"Four were killed in Okorojo, three beheaded, one not beheaded,
but another four was also abducted in the same Okorojo, which up to now has not been seen.
So with this, the council and the stakeholders agreed that Amaseri people must produce them, whether life or death, those that were abducted, and the heads of those that were beheaded.
"Just like the CP said, Amasiri is given three days, 72 hours, to produce the heads of those beheaded
and to produce those that were abducted.
If that is not done, then severe...
Sanctions will be put in place to get things right and make sure that the law of the land takes the center stage.ordinarily result in arrests, the government had chosen to exercise restraint in view of the fragile situation and ongoing peace efforts.
"Three that was beheaded, four was killed in Okorojo, three beheaded, one not beheaded, but another four was also abducted in the same Okorojo, which up to now has not been seen.
So with this, I think that the council and the stakeholders agreed that Amaseri people must produce them,
whether life or death, those that were abducted, and the heads of those that were beheaded. The council said they must produce it.
"But Amaseri, like the CP said, was given three days, 72 hours, to produce the heads of those beheaded and to produce those that were abducted.If that is not done, then severe Sanctions will be put in place to get things right and make sure that the law of the land takes the center stage".
Earlier, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, stated that existing sanctions imposed on the Amasiri community would remain in force until all conditions set by the state government were fully met.
During the meeting of the stakeholders, it was decided that the enforcement of the sanctions
placed on the Amasri community following the attack on the Okporojo community, which led to the deaths of four members of Okporojo community with three beheaded and their heads taken away, continued until the heads were brought back by the Amasri community
and the perpetrators fished out.
They are given three days to go and meet with the community and produce the heads of those beheaded and the perpetrators fished out.
The sanctions, enforcement of the sanctions placed on the Amasiri
by the security agencies jointly made up of the police, the military,
the DSS and civil defence continues until we meet in the next three days.
Not only the heads of those beheaded are produced,
there are also others said to be missing.
We are still looking for four members of Okporojo Communities that are still missing, they are also to be produced by the Amasri community."
She added that joint security operations involving the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were ongoing to maintain law and order, while efforts to locate missing persons from neighbouring communities affected by the violence is in progress.
Speaking on behalf of the Ebonyi State Founding Fathers, High Chief Hyacinth Ikpor expressed support for the government’s intervention, noting that the group was actively participating in peace engagements aimed at restoring stability in the area.
Similarly, Chairman of the Ebonyi Elders Council, Engr. Ben Okah, pledged the council’s cooperation, emphasising dialogue, unity, and mutual understanding as key to resolving the conflict.
The representative of Amasiri community, Bishop Kenneth Oko Daniels assured the state government of their willingness to comply with the directives and contribute to the peace process, expressing optimism that calm would soon return through cooperation and adherence to lawful instructions.
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Also speaking, Chief George Ukpai, on behalf of the Edda Clan, welcomed the government’s intervention, describing it as reassuring, and pledged that members of the clan would avoid reprisals while supporting ongoing peace initiatives.
The Ebonyi State Government r
eaffirmed its determination to achieve lasting peace in the affected communities, assuring residents that justice would be served and all those responsible for the violence would be brought to justice.
Recall that that the Amasiri-Oso Edda land dispute has claimed uncomfortable lives, leaving properties worth billions of Naira destroyed.
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