By Amara Agha, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Security Council on Tuesday reviewed the curfew imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community in Afikpo Local Government Area following the crisis with Okporojo, Oso Edda Community in Edda LGA, adjusting the restriction to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
The crisis erupted on January 29 when four persons from Okporojo were reportedly beheaded and their heads taken away.
Governor Francis Nwifuru had earlier imposed a curfew on Amasiri from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a directive that the severed heads be produced.
The decision to relax the curfew was reached at a Security Council meeting convened by the governor on February 17, 2026, at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Abakaliki.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the Council said the review followed careful deliberations, ongoing investigations and progress made by security agencies in restoring relative peace in the affected areas.
He disclosed that several arrests have been made in connection with the crisis and directed that all suspects currently in police custody be charged to court without delay.
“Under our legal system, every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. However, based on investigations and confessional statements obtained so far, significant progress has been made,” he said.
The Council also resolved to intensify urgent and strategic measures to fully restore order in the affected communities and ensure the recovery of the remains of those killed during the violence.
According to him, the curfew was imposed strictly to maintain law and order and protect lives and property, stressing that without the intervention, the crisis could have escalated into a wider communal conflict.
On schools in the affected areas, the Council said they will remain closed pending further review at the next Security Council meeting.
The Chairman also addressed concerns over social media narratives surrounding the crisis, noting that government officials would not engage in public exchanges on security matters due to their sensitive nature.
He assured residents that arrests and interrogations are ongoing and promised that all those found culpable will be prosecuted.
The Council expressed optimism that the measures already in place will restore lasting peace to the affected communities.
