By Amara Agha Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has dissolved the leadership of the Amasiri community, withdrawn the certificate of its traditional ruler and dismissed all government appointees from the area following renewed communal violence in Okporojo,Oso Edda Community,Edda local government area.
Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area Thursday attacked and beheaded about four persons both male and female in Okporojo, Oso Edda, they also attacked Akpoha community,kidnapped four persons and later released 3 persons.
Nwifuru announced the decisive measures during a visit to Okporojo, Oso Edda Autonomous Community, where he expressed deep sadness and disappointment over recent developments that led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, Nwifuru assured the affected communities that the state government would hold those responsible for the violence accountable, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.
He appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid further escalation, noting that his decision to speak sparingly was informed by the need to prevent the situation from worsening.
The governor said efforts at reconciliation between the warring communities had been ongoing for years, including agreements on boundary tracing, but lamented that such efforts had failed to yield lasting peace.
According to him, the crisis had reached a critical point, requiring firm and decisive government action to restore law and order.
Nwifuru emphasized that permanent peace, rather than temporary relief, remained the most urgent need of the affected communities, assuring them of full government support during the difficult period.
He noted that his visit to Okporojo was aimed at changing perceptions, restoring confidence and signaling a new phase of intervention by the state government.
Commending law enforcement agencies for their professionalism, the governor praised the Commissioner of Police, military commanders, civil defence officials and other security operatives for their efforts in maintaining peace, including tracking perpetrators across difficult terrain.
He pledged the state government’s continued cooperation and support to security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property in the area.
Addressing the Amasiri community directly, Nwifuru urged residents to rethink their actions, warning that violence would only deepen their challenges and bring severe consequences.
As part of the government’s response, he announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Development Union executive and all village leadership structures within the community.
He also ordered the removal of all village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate and the dismissal of all government appointees from Amasiri, from management committee members to commissioners.
The governor concluded by reaffirming the authority of the state government, vowing to take further actions where necessary to enforce peace and demonstrate that lawlessness would not be tolerated in Ebonyi State.
