Follow Us on Google
By Bianca Iboma -Emefu
Amasiri indigenes in the diaspora have raised the alarm over what they describe as an unjust and punitive curfew imposed on their community by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, saying the measure has triggered severe humanitarian suffering, including deaths, displacement, and economic paralysis more than two months after a deadly land clash.
At a press conference held in Lagos on March 27, 2026, the Amasiri traders in the diaspora detailed the impact of the government’s actions following the January 29 killings and arson in Okporojo, a disputed farm settlement claimed by Amasiri but contested by the Edda people in Edda Local Government Area.
The group said it was not apportioning blame for the initial violence—which reportedly involved multiple deaths, beheadings, abductions, and widespread property destruction—but was instead focused on the government’s response.
They accused Governor Nwifuru of acting with bias against Amasiri without a prior investigation. According to the group, during an on-the-spot assessment on January 30, the governor announced sweeping sanctions, including the removal of all political appointees from Amasiri, the dethronement of two traditional rulers, and the dissolution of the community development union leadership. He was also quoted as saying, “For the time being, we will do more. And we will show everybody why we’re the government.”
Other News
A 20-hour curfew was imposed on January 31 and later relaxed to 12 hours, with further adjustments to evening-to-morning restrictions in mid-February. However, the traders claimed that security forces deployed to protect the community initially unleashed violence, allegedly maiming residents, burning rice mills, yam barns, and traditional relaxation centres (ulogos), and forcing many youths—particularly males—to flee, thereby creating internally displaced persons.
They added that schools, churches, and markets remain shut, while hospitals operate at minimal capacity, resulting in avoidable deaths. According to the group, at least 12 fatalities—including two infants—have been recorded due to restricted movement and lack of access to medical care.
The traders also cited additional measures, including the delisting of the Amasiri Development Centre by the State House of Assembly and the transfer of its administration to four other council chairmen. They further alleged that two traditional rulers—one of them newly installed—and about 38 indigenes are currently standing trial over the Okporojo incident.
The group questioned what it described as selective enforcement of restrictions, noting that quarry companies—major contributors to the state’s internally generated revenue—have continued operations despite the curfew.
Describing the community as “prostrate and desolate,” the group said the government’s actions have deepened the suffering of residents.
They called on the governor to lift the curfew immediately, release detained traditional rulers and the Development Centre Coordinator, and establish an independent panel of inquiry into the Okporojo killings. They also urged the involvement of the National Boundary Commission in resolving the Amasiri-Edda land dispute, the provision of relief materials to affected residents, and the transfer of ongoing cases to a High Court with proper jurisdiction.
