….dissolve Town unions, village heads,
…..impose curfew in Amasiri
From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Ogbonna on Saturday sacked the entire political appointees, boards members, withdrew certificates of traditional rulers and dissolved community leadership structures of Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area of the state.
This following the killings of five indigenes of Okporojo village in Edda local government area of the state by warlords from Amasiri.
The attackers who came by surprise also burnt over ten houses, Church (Winners Church) destroyed farm produces including properties in Okporojo village during the attack which lasted for about 30 minutes.
Both Amasiri community and the people of Okporojo have long been embroiled in a land dispute.
Governor Nwifuru announced the sanctions on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo Village, where he addressed the Okporojo people who were still mourning the death of their loved ones killed in the ungodly attack.
Nwifuru who was saddened by the incident, described the attack as “most unfortunate,” saying he never expected such a level of brutality to occur in the state.
He assured the affected community that the state would decisively deal with those responsible, noting that the lives lost would not be in vain.
“I am very pained by this development. As a careful leader, when you are angry, you speak less. But I want to assure you that the government of Ebonyi State will show the perpetrators what it truly means to be a government.
But as a leader, you speak less when you are very angry and at this very moment I will speak less.
“And for the time being, the development union executive and all the villages heads in Amasiri communities are hereby dissolved.
“The traditional ruler’s certificates are thereby withdrawn. All the government appointees from Amasiri are thereby sacked.
“All the government appointees from the management committee down to the commissioner anyone from Amasiri are hereby sacked also.
“Again, all the village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities are hereby removed. We will do more and we will show everybody why we’re government.
“But I plead with all of you to maintain peace. At the end of the day those that started the war will regret it,” he said.
Governor Nwifuru noted that he had on several occasions held meeting with the two council chairmen including their stakeholders but all to no avail.
“I had held meetings with the two local government chairmen and their stakeholders and on so many occasions they disagreed and agreed to the extent of tracing the boundaries.
“And since we’ve been able to get to the level of reconciliation and our reconciliation is not being taken to mind by any of the communities.
“We’re not only going to maintain the peace but we’re going to act decisively, take actions that will speak very loud.
“Government is going to support you at this moment, this critical moment of your life, moral support is not what you need immediately.
“What you need is permanent peace and that permanent peace will definitely come to be.
Also, I have seen where you are living. I’ve seen where most of our stakeholders come from. It’s nothing to write about.I’ve seen the houses burnt.
Nwifuru further appreciated the law enforcement officers sent to restore law and order to continue their good works.
“Let me thank law enforcement agencies led by the commissioner of police, the cantonment commander,Women battalion commander,Civil defense.And so many of our dear security chiefs state.
“All of them have briefed me the action they have taken to maintain peace, many of them have trekked up to nine kilometers to trace the roots of the perpetrators.
“And they have assured me of the security of lives and property in this area. And I believe in them and I want to thank them specially. I also plead with them to do more.
“And I sent this message to the people of Amasiri,It’s a pity and to Okporojo community to remain calm and embrace peace, government will be with you to the end,”he assured.
Similarly, not less than 10 persons have been arrested in connection to the Thursday attack.
The state police commissioner, CP. Adaku Uche-Anya made this known after she visited the area.
Among those killed and beheaded by the Amasiri assailants were two aged women while one Mr. Eze Orji were among those missing.
Speaking to Salient Times One Mr. Michael Orji said the Amasiri assailants had in similarly attack in 2025 wapped out a whole family including their children.
“Yes, similarly incident happened in 2025 when the same Amasiri assailants wapped a whole family including their kids.
“And you see this woman crying is crying because her brother by name Eze Orji was among those abducted by the assailants,” he stated.
Governor briefed the press at his office at about 11pm on Saturday after the state executive security meeting.
In the same vein, the state government after it’s emergency security council meeting which ended at about 11pm on Saturday night adopted the resolutions reached.
These include: “to impose curfew from 2pm to 10 am every day, Close down Schools, banks, markets and other government facilities in the area with immediate effect and relocate Pupils, students, and teachers to nearby communities to continue with their education.
“Delist Amasiri Development Center from State Development center’s list, close all State government. Facilities in Amasiri.
“Order law enforcement officers to recover the heads of those beheaded by the Amasiri warlords at all cost and bring the perpetrators to book.
“Resolved all town Union, peer groups, traditional rulers and village heads with immediate effect,”he mentioned.
