Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has taken sweeping punitive actions 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 community on Saturday.
The violent attack, which saw the victims beheaded and their heads carted away, sparked outrage across the state and prompted what the governor described as decisive government intervention to halt further bloodshed.
Visibly angry while addressing residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials in Okporojo, Governor Nwifuru described the incident 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,” the governor said.
He assured the affected community that the state government would ensure justice for the victims, stressing that their deaths would not be meaningless.
“The government of Ebonyi State will definitely show the perpetrators what makes them 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.
Governor Nwifuru urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals, warning that retaliation would only escalate the crisis and compound the suffering of innocent people.
“I plead with all of you to maintain peace. At the end of the day, those that started the war will regret it. My visit here today will sign a very bold signature,” he said.
He revealed that the conflict had lingered for years despite repeated reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such agreements 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, yet it has now gotten to a point of no return,” he noted.
Turning directly to the role of Amasiri Community, the governor issued a stern warning, insisting that violence would never yield a meaningful solution.
“My message to the people of Amasiri is to have a rethink, because violence will never lead them anywhere,” he said, adding that reports of threats against neighbouring communities showed the crisis was spiralling dangerously.
Governor Nwifuru said his patience had been stretched to its limit, declaring that he had been “pushed to the wall.”
“If you see a quiet person, ordinarily don’t push him to the wall. I’ve been pushed to the wall at this moment. I’ve been pushed to the wall,” he said.
Consequently, the governor announced far-reaching sanctions against the Amasiri 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,” Nwifuru declared.
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 up to the commissioner.”
“All the government appointees from the management committee down to the commissioner, anyone from Amasiri, are hereby sacked. All the village heads in all Amasiri villages are hereby removed,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to restore peace in Edda Local Government Area, Governor Nwifuru promised that sustained government intervention would bring lasting stability and development to the area.
“As far as I’m your governor, this kind of rascality will never happen again,” he assured residents, adding that the government would do more to demonstrate its authority and commitment to the rule of law.
The governor stressed that his actions were not driven by bias but by a commitment to truth and justice.
“I don’t side anybody. I say the truth the way it is. It is only the truth that can bring peace,” he said.
The development marks one of the most decisive crackdowns by the Ebonyi State Government in response to communal violence, as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further bloodshed and restore order in the affected communities.
