Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two traditional rulers from Amasiri Community, Afikpo Local Government Area, over the recent violent clash with neighbouring Okporojo Community in Edda Local Government Area.
The attack, which Amasiri residents have been accused of masterminding, reportedly claimed the lives of five persons. The incident occurred amid a decades-long boundary dispute between the two neighbouring communities, which has previously resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
Following the incident, Governor Francis Nwifuru at the weekend imposed a 20-hour daily curfew on Amasiri Community, alongside other far-reaching sanctions.
The governor also ordered the immediate closure of all schools and government facilities in the community, including the Amasiri Development Centre. He further directed that a bill be forwarded to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly seeking the delisting of the Amasiri Development Centre from the state’s recognised development centres.
In addition, Governor Nwifuru sacked all political appointees from the community and dethroned the two traditional rulers.
Confirming the arrests on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said the command had arrested the Development Centre Coordinator, Mr Baron Anya.
Ukandu also disclosed that the two dethroned monarchs—Ezeugo Basil Onya Idam of Amasiri Autonomous Community and Ezeogo Godfrey Obia Oko of Ndukwe Kingdom—were currently in police custody.
He added that 10 other suspects arrested over the weekend in connection with the killings were also being detained as investigations continued.
Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area and current member of the Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission, Mrs Obiageri Oko Enyim, has appealed to residents of Amasiri to remain calm and pursue peace through lawful and respectful means.
In a statement, Oko Enyim said the governor’s actions were based on what he personally witnessed on the ground and should not come as a surprise.
She noted that any leader confronted with such a situation would naturally respond firmly, warning residents against challenging or confronting the governor’s decisions.
According to her, such actions would only worsen the situation, stressing that the government remains the constituted authority and cannot be confronted through disorder.
Mrs Enyim explained that the deployment of soldiers to the area was intended to restore peace between the two warring communities and was not targeted at Amasiri alone.
She urged residents to adopt a calm, lawful, and respectful approach in addressing the matter.
“If we truly believe we have a strong case, then it must be presented through pleading, dialogue, and proper explanation, not chaos,” she said, warning that justice cannot be achieved through disorder.
She also called on indigenes at home and in the diaspora to appeal to the governor to temper justice with mercy and allow room for a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the crisis.
Emphasising the need for wisdom and restraint, Mrs Enyim warned that no amount of protest, violence, or confusion would alter the authority of the governor.
She urged those fanning tension or causing unrest to desist immediately, noting that such actions could jeopardise the community’s chances of a fair resolution.
“Peace, patience and respectful engagement are the only ways forward,” she said, calling for maturity in the pursuit of justice and lasting peace between Amasiri and Okporojo.
She concluded by appealing for calm and unity, stressing that dialogue remains the best path toward resolving the decades-long dispute and restoring stability in the affected communities.
