Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed all government appointees from Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area and dissolved its community development union leadership and village heads with immediate effect.
He also withdrew the certificate of recognition of the community’s traditional ruler, effectively dethroning him.
The governor’s action followed a violent attack on Okporojo Community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area, during which four persons were killed and beheaded, with their heads reportedly taken away.
Nwifuru announced the sweeping measures on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies, and government officials.
Visibly angered by the killings, the governor described the attack as deeply disturbing and unprecedented in the state.
“On this note, for the time being, the development union executives in Amasiri communities are hereby dissolved. The traditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn, and all government appointees from Amasiri are hereby sacked,” he said.
“All government appointees, from the management committee level to commissioners from Amasiri, are relieved of their duties. All village heads in the autonomous communities in Amasiri are also removed. We will take further actions and demonstrate that government is in charge,” the governor added.
He assured the affected community that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.
Nwifuru urged residents to remain calm and refrain from retaliation, warning that further violence would only escalate the crisis. He emphasised that the government’s response would be firm but aimed at restoring peace and order.
The governor noted that the conflict had persisted for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, which he said were not honoured.
He said his visit underscored the state government’s resolve to end lawlessness and enforce the rule of law across Ebonyi State.
