Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the removal of traditional rulers in the Amasiri clan, Afikpo Local Government Area and directed that their staff of office be withdrawn.
The governor also sacked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education from the area, Prof Amari Omaka.
Nwifuru also dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of the area over a violent attack on Okporojo, Oso Edda community in the Edda Local Government Area of the state, during which four persons were reportedly beheaded and their heads taken away by assailants.
The governor gave the directive on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials.
He described the attack as “most unfortunate,” saying such a “barbaric incident” should be condemned in the state.
Nwifuru assured that the state government would decisively deal with the perpetrators, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.
The governor urged residents to remain calm and embrace peace, warning that retaliatory violence would only worsen the situation.
According to him, government actions would be firm but guided by the need to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
He said, “I am particularly very saddened. I have never in my whole life expected this kind of development. It’s quite unfortunate. But as a careful leader, you speak less when you are very angry, and at this very moment, I will speak less. But I want to assure the people of Okporojo autonomous community.
“The government of Ebonyi State will definitely show the perpetrators. I promise you, the lives lost will never be in vain by the special grace of God. I am seeking words to use at this moment, so that I will not escalate the war. But, 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 leave a very bold signature on your face.”
Nwifuru revealed that the conflict had lingered for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities.
He lamented that such agreements were not respected.
The governor noted that his visit was a “strong signal” that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.
He cautioned that the situation was fast approaching “a point of no return” if provocations continued.
Consequently, the governor announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive members, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate, and the removal of all village heads in the Amasiri autonomous community.
He also ordered the sack of all political appointees from the Amasiri community, from members of management committees up to commissioners serving in his administration.
The reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring permanent peace in Edda LG, promising that by next year, the community would witness tangible improvements resulting from government intervention.
