Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered sweeping punitive measures against political and traditional leaders from Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area following a gruesome attack in which four persons were beheaded in Okporojo, Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The governor announced the dethronement of traditional rulers, the dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union, and the sacking of all political appointees from the community, including the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Amari Omaka (SAN), during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the troubled area on Saturday.
The violent incident, in which the victims were beheaded and their heads taken away, triggered outrage across the state and prompted what Governor Nwifuru described as decisive government intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
Addressing residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials in Okporojo, a visibly angry Nwifuru described the killings as “most unfortunate,” saying he never imagined such brutality could occur in Ebonyi State.
“I am particularly very saddened. I’ve never in my whole life expected this kind of development. It’s quite unfortunate,” he said.
The governor assured the affected community that justice would be served, stressing that the lives lost would not be meaningless.
“The government of Ebonyi State will definitely show the perpetrators what makes it government, and you will see it happen. I promise you, the lives lost will never be in vain, by the special grace of God,” he declared.
He urged residents to remain calm and refrain from reprisals, warning that retaliation would only worsen the crisis and increase the suffering of innocent people.
“I plead with all of you to maintain peace. At the end of the day, those who started the war will regret it. My visit here today will sign a very bold signature,” Nwifuru said.
The governor revealed that the conflict had persisted for years despite repeated reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, which he said were repeatedly violated.
“This matter did not start today. We have discussed this with the two local government chairmen and stakeholders on several occasions. Boundaries were traced and agreed upon, yet it has now gotten to a point of no return,” he noted.
Directing his remarks to the Amasiri Community, Nwifuru warned that violence would never provide a lasting solution, adding that reports of threats against neighbouring communities showed the crisis was escalating dangerously.
“My message to the people of Amasiri is to have a rethink, because violence will never lead them anywhere,” he said.
Declaring that his patience had been exhausted, the governor said he had been “pushed to the wall,” prompting the far-reaching sanctions announced against the community’s leadership structure.
“So on this note, for the time being, the Amasiri Town Development Union executive is hereby dissolved. The traditional ruler’s certificate is hereby withdrawn. All government appointees from Amasiri are hereby sacked,” he announced.
He further ordered the immediate removal of all village heads across Amasiri autonomous communities and the dismissal of every political appointee from the area, from members of management committees to commissioners.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to restore peace in Edda Local Government Area, Governor Nwifuru pledged sustained government intervention to ensure lasting stability and development.
“As far as I’m your governor, this kind of rascality will never happen again,” he said, stressing that his actions were guided by truth and justice, not bias.
“I don’t side with anybody. I say the truth the way it is. It is only the truth that can bring peace,” the governor added.
The development represents one of the most decisive crackdowns by the Ebonyi State Government in response to communal violence, as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further killings and restore order in the affected communities.
