Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the removal of traditional rulers in the Amasiri clan of Afikpo Local Government Area and directed the immediate withdrawal of their staff of office following a violent attack that left four persons dead in Edda Local Government Area.
The governor also sacked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education from the area, Prof. Amari Omaka, and dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri community.
The decisive actions followed a brutal attack on Okporojo in Oso Edda community, during which four persons were allegedly beheaded, with their heads taken away by assailants reportedly from the Amasiri clan.
Nwifuru announced the measures on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he met with residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials.
Describing the incident as “most unfortunate,” the governor said such a barbaric act would never be tolerated in Ebonyi State, assuring that the perpetrators would be decisively dealt with.
He urged residents to remain calm and shun retaliation, warning that any reprisal attacks would only escalate the crisis. According to him, the government’s response would be firm but guided by the need to prevent further bloodshed.
The governor disclosed that the conflict had persisted for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, noting that such agreements were repeatedly violated.
He said his visit was meant to send “a strong signal” that the state government would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.
Turning to the role of the Amasiri community in the crisis, Nwifuru issued a stern warning, cautioning that violence would never produce a meaningful resolution and that the situation was approaching “a point of no return” if provocations continued.
Consequently, the governor announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive members, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate, and the removal of all village heads in the Amasiri autonomous community.
He further ordered the sack of all political appointees from the Amasiri community, including management committee members and commissioners serving in his administration.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in Edda Local Government Area, Nwifuru promised that the affected communities would begin to experience tangible improvements through government intervention by next year.
Expressing deep grief over the killings, the governor said: “I am particularly very saddened. I repent of this kind of development. I have never in my whole life expected this kind of development. It is quite unfortunate. But as a careful leader, you speak less when you are very angry, and at this moment I will speak less.
“I want to assure the people of Okporojo autonomous community that the government of Ebonyi State will definitely show the perpetrators what it means to challenge government authority. I promise you, the lives lost will never be in vain by the special grace of God.
“I am seeking the right words at this moment so that I do not escalate the crisis, but I plead with all of you to maintain peace. At the end of the day, those who started this violence will regret it. My visit here today will leave a very bold mark.
“By the end of today, you will see the outcome of this visit. And I promise you, as long as I remain your governor, this kind of rascality will never happen again.”
He also spoke on the role of the Afikpo Local Government leadership, saying: “The Chairman of Afikpo is here. He is known for his doggedness, peace-loving nature and respect for the rule of law. But if his subjects decide to take lives at will, it is a pity.”
Nwifuru further stated: “If you see a quiet person, do not push him to the wall. I have been pushed to the wall.
“This matter did not start today. We have held several meetings, traced boundaries and reached agreements. But it has now reached a critical point.”
“My message to the people of Amasiri is to rethink their actions. Violence will never lead them anywhere. I have also heard that Akpoha community blocked their road because they feared an attack. This shows how far things have gone.”
He concluded by declaring: “On this note, for now, the development union executives and all village leadership structures in Amasiri are hereby dissolved.
“The traditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn. All government appointees from Amasiri, from management committee members to commissioners, are hereby sacked.”
“All village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities are removed. We will do more, and we will show everyone why we are government.”
