By Amara Agha Abakaliki
Traditional institutions in Amasiri clan, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have called on the state government to immediately implement the long-agreed boundary delineation between Amasiri and Oso-Edda communities, warning that continued delays are fueling tension and violent clashes in the area.
The appeal was jointly made by the Ichie Amasiri (revered elders), the ESSA Ruling Council, Ekpu Uketo, Uke Amasiri age grades, and other custodians of Amasiri cultural heritage.
The institutions insisted that implementing the 2003 gazetted boundary report—earlier accepted by both communities—remains the most practical solution to restoring peace, preventing further bloodshed, and allowing residents safe access to their farmlands as the farming season approaches.
Their position was contained in a joint communiqué titled “Urgent Appeal to His Excellency, Builder Francis Ognonna Nwifuru, Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, to Expedite Action on Amasiri/Oso Boundary Delineation,” made available to journalists on Monday.
The communiqué, signed by eight chairmen of the traditional institutions including Ichie Hyacinth Idam Mbe, Mr. Roland Ntachi, and Apostle Ekuma Emmanuel Ndubuisi, recalled that the state government had initiated the delineation process after several peace meetings, a move welcomed by both parties.
The group expressed concern that despite a reaffirmation of the 2003 report during another peace effort in 2023, government is yet to fully implement the agreement, a delay they said has continued to heighten hostilities in the area.
The traditional institutions also condemned the recent killings at Okporojo village in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area, describing the incident as barbaric, regrettable, and unacceptable.
They stressed that Amasiri and Edda people are brothers united by a common lineage system, noting that any act of bloodshed between them is considered an abomination, while condoling with families who lost loved ones and property during the violence.
While alleging continued encroachment into Amasiri territory by neighbouring communities, the institutions pledged to remain law-abiding and appealed to sister communities to support the state government’s efforts to restore peace, law, and order along the disputed boundary.
