Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has taken sweeping punitive measures against political and traditional authorities in Amasiri clan of Afikpo Local Government Area following a gruesome attack that claimed four lives in neighbouring Edda community.
The governor ordered the immediate removal of traditional rulers in Amasiri and directed that their staffs of office be withdrawn. He also sacked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka, who hails from the area, and dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structures of the community.
The decisive actions followed a violent incursion into Okporojo, an autonomous community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area, where four persons were allegedly killed and beheaded, with their heads reportedly taken away by the attackers.
Governor Nwifuru announced the sanctions during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he met residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials. Visibly disturbed by the scale of violence, he described the incident as barbaric and unacceptable, stressing that such lawlessness would not be condoned under his administration.
He assured the affected community that the state would move decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, declaring that the lives lost would not be in vain. While urging residents to remain calm, the governor warned against reprisals, noting that retaliation would only deepen the crisis and undermine ongoing efforts to restore order.
Nwifuru disclosed that the conflict between the communities had dragged on for years despite repeated interventions by government, including boundary delineations and peace agreements, many of which were allegedly violated. He said his visit was intended to send a clear message that the state would no longer tolerate a breakdown of law and order.
Issuing a stern warning to the Amasiri community, the governor cautioned that violence was pushing the situation dangerously close to a tipping point. He announced the dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executives, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate, and the removal of all village heads across Amasiri autonomous communities.
He further ordered the sack of all political appointees from the area, from management committee members to commissioners serving in his cabinet, underscoring the principle of collective responsibility in safeguarding peace.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to lasting stability in Edda Local Government Area, Nwifuru pledged that government intervention would translate into tangible improvements for affected communities from next year.
He also expressed disappointment at the turn of events, noting that sustained provocations had forced the government’s hand. According to him, leadership demands restraint, but persistent defiance of constituted authority would attract firm consequences.
The governor added that fear had spread beyond the immediate flashpoint, citing reports that neighbouring communities had blocked access roads in anticipation of further attacks—an indication, he said, of how far the crisis had escalated.
He concluded by insisting that government authority would prevail, warning that continued provocation would only invite harsher measures as the state moved to reassert peace, security and respect for the rule of law across Ebonyi.
