Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the removal of traditional rulers in the Amasiri clan of Afikpo Local Government Area, directing that their staffs of office be withdrawn.
He also sacked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka, who hails from the area.
The governor further dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of Amasiri following a violent attack on Okporojo in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area, where four persons were reportedly beheaded and their heads taken away by assailants.
Nwifuru issued the directives on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials.
Describing the incident as “most unfortunate,” the governor condemned the attack, calling it a “barbaric act” that had no place in the state.
He assured residents that the state government would deal decisively with those responsible, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain. He also urged the community to remain calm and avoid retaliatory violence, warning that reprisals would only worsen the crisis.
According to him, government actions would be firm but guided by the need to prevent further escalation.
Nwifuru disclosed that the conflict had persisted for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such agreements were repeatedly ignored.
He said his visit was a strong signal that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law, cautioning that continued provocation could push the situation to a “point of no return.”
Consequently, the governor announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive, 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, ranging from management committee members to commissioners serving in his administration.
Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in Edda Local Government Area, promising that by next year, residents would begin to see tangible improvements resulting from government intervention.
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