Follow Us on Google
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and security chiefs in the state have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Amasiri community to produce the heads of those beheaded in Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The governor and the security chiefs also gave Amasiri 72 hours to produce the four people abducted in Okporojo and the perpetrators or face more stringent sanctions.
Suspected warlords had attacked Okporojo, Oso Edda, and Akpoha in Edda and Afikpo local government areas of the state, beheaded some of them, and abducted others.
The people of Amasiri, Okporojo and Oso Edda have been at war for decades over land with many lives lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed. Amasiri has also been at war with the Akpoha community over land, with lives also lost and property destroyed.
Four people were killed in Okporojo, Oso Edda, on January 29, when suspected warlords invaded the area. Heads of three of those killed were cut off and taken away by the attackers who also abducted four people from the community.
Neither has the four people abducted been rescued nor the three heads taken away have been recovered till date.
Two days before the incident, warlords abducted five people in Akpoha, including a policewoman, and later released four of them.
Shallow grave of the remaining person identified as Augustine Ite was seen in Amasiri by security agencies with his head cut off.
The incidents occurred after the warring communities signed demarcation of land paper as measures put in place by the state government to end the melee. The document was signed on December 9, 2025.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, stakeholders of Afikpo and Edda Local Government areas, and security chiefs who were sad over the fresh killings in the troubled communities, met in his office, on Monday, over the incidents.
The meeting started from 11:15am and lasted till 8:45pm.
Nwifuru said the meeting was convened at the instance of the state government and involved the Commissioner of Police, commanders of the military, the DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, civil defence officials, and other security formations.
“This meeting was called by the heads of the security agencies to address the incessant killings in Amasiri and to brief stakeholders on the actions taken so far, to stabilise the area and protect life and property,” the governor said.
He disclosed that investigations confirmed that four people were killed, three of whom were beheaded, while another victim was later discovered in a shallow grave, with the head yet to be recovered.
“The heads we are demanding to be returned are four. Four people were killed, and four others were abducted. We still believe those abducted are alive, and that is why we insist they must be returned alive,” Nwifuru stated.
The governor also confirmed reports by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, regarding the discovery of shallow graves containing beheaded bodies, describing the findings as “shocking.”
Other News
“What the army spokesperson said is correct. Bodies were found tied, beheaded, and buried in shallow graves. Some of the victims have not yet been identified, and we believe there may be more, including women and children,” he said.
Nwifuru added that while discussions were held on possible military options, the immediate focus of the government remained on ending the killings and restoring peace, warning that severe sanctions would be imposed if the Amasiri community failed to comply with the ultimatum.
“If these demands are not met within 72 hours, tougher sanctions will be applied to ensure that the law of the land takes centre stage,” he warned.
Governor Nwifuru also addressed the issue of protests, warning that demonstrations were not permitted under the law in situations involving land disputes and breakdown of order.
“Ordinarily, such actions would attract arrests because they amount to taking the law into one’s hands. However, we are exercising restraint and patience, considering the circumstances,” he said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, while briefing journalists, said the sanctions placed on Amasiri would remain in force until the community produces the severed heads, returns the missing people, and hands over those responsible for the dastardly acts.
“Amasiri has been given three days to produce the heads of those beheaded, return the four missing people, and fish out the perpetrators. Enforcement by the police, military, DSS, and civil defence continues until these conditions are met,” she said.
The police commissioner added that security agencies were still searching for missing people from neighbouring communities affected by the violence.
Speaking on behalf of the Ebonyi State Founding Fathers, High Chief Hyacinth Ikpor said the group had been fully involved in discussions and supported the government’s approach to resolving the crisis.
“We are here to ensure that nothing is destroyed and that peace returns. We support the actions of the government and will continue to work with security agencies to stabilise the area,” Ikpor said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Ebonyi Elders Council, Engr. Ben Okah, echoed similar sentiments, pledging the council’s support for the government’s peace efforts.
Representative of the Amasiri community, Bishop Kenneth Oko Daniels assured the state government that his people would comply fully with all directives, expressing confidence that peace would be restored.
“We believe that with God on our side, and by obeying the government’s orders, peace will return to our land,” the bishop said.
Meanwhile, Chief George Ukpai, speaking on behalf of the Edda Clan, described the government’s intervention as reassuring and pledged the clan’s cooperation.
“Our faith, which was almost broken, has been restored. We assure the government that no one from our clan will engage in reprisals. We will cooperate fully to ensure peace,” Ukpai said.
The Ebonyi State Government reiterated its commitment to achieving permanent peace, insisting that justice would be served, and that all perpetrators of the killings would be brought to book.
