The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed all government appointees, dissolved the community development union leadership, and removed all village heads in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state, with immediate effect. He also dethroned the traditional ruler of the community.
Nwifuru’s action followed a violent attack on Okporojo Community, Oso Edda, in Edda Local Government Area, during which four people were reportedly beheaded and their heads taken away.
The governor announced the sweeping sanctions on Saturday, January 31, during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies, and government officials.
The Okporojo incident was said to have occurred on the afternoon of January 29, 2026, when unidentified armed men allegedly ambushed the community and set houses on fire.
Visibly angry over the killings, Nwifuru described the attack as most unfortunate, saying he never expected such a level of brutality to occur in the state.
“So on this note, for the time being, the development union executive and all of the villages in Amasiri communities are hereby dissolved. The traditional ruler certificate is thereby withdrawn. All the government appointees from Amasiri are thereby sacked,” the governor said.
“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 in all the autonomous communities are hereby removed. For the time being, we will do more. And we will show everybody why we’re government,” he added.
He assured the affected community that the state government would decisively deal with those responsible, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain. He 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.
Nwifuru revealed that the conflict had lingered for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such agreements were not respected. He noted that his visit was a strong signal that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.
Turning to the role of Amasiri community in the crisis, the governor issued a stern warning, stating that violence would never lead to a meaningful resolution.
“My message to the people of Amasiri is to have a rethink because violence will never lead them anywhere. I also heard that the Akpoha community blocked their road because the Amasiri people are coming to attack them. And I say, look, it has already gotten to the point of no return,” Nwifuru said.
“So Amasiri should be careful of their actions. We love them. We adore them. We believe that they have men who still have character. I still believe in God and still worship God.”
Consequently, the governor announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive members. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring permanent peace in Edda and promised that by next year, the community would witness tangible improvements resulting from government intervention.
“I am particularly very saddened. I repent of this kind of development. I’ve never in my whole life expected this kind of development.
“It’s quite unfortunate. But if you’re 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 to the perpetrators what made 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 said.
“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 that started the war will regret it.”
