Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the removal of traditional rulers in the Amasiri clan of Afikpo Local Government Area and directed the immediate withdrawal of their staffs of office.
The governor also relieved the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka, of his position.
Nwifuru further dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of the Amasiri community following a violent attack on Okporojo in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area, during which four people were reportedly beheaded, with their heads taken away by the attackers.
The directives were issued on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where the governor addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies, and government officials.
Describing the attack as “most unfortunate,” Nwifuru condemned the incident as barbaric and assured residents that the state government would decisively deal with those responsible.
“The lives lost will not be in vain,” he said, while urging the community to remain calm and avoid retaliatory violence, warning that reprisals would only deepen the crisis.
According to the governor, government actions would be firm but guided by the need to prevent further escalation.
“I am deeply saddened by this development,” Nwifuru said. “It is quite unfortunate. At this moment, I will speak less so as not to escalate the situation. But I assure the people of Okporojo that the government of Ebonyi State will show the perpetrators. By the special grace of God, the lives lost will never be in vain.”
He appealed to residents to embrace peace, adding that those who instigated the violence would ultimately regret their actions.
Nwifuru disclosed that the conflict had persisted for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such accords were repeatedly violated.
He said his visit sent a “strong signal” that the state government would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law, cautioning that continued provocations could push the situation to a “point of no return.”
As part of immediate measures, the governor announced the dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive members, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate, and the removal of all village heads in the Amasiri autonomous community.
He also ordered the dismissal of all political appointees from the Amasiri community, including management committee members and commissioners serving in his administration.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in Edda Local Government Area, assuring residents that tangible improvements from government intervention would be evident by next year.