The Ebonyi State Government has directed the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area to present the heads of four persons killed in connection with recent attacks on Okporojo Oso Edda village in Edda Local Government Area within 72 hours.
Governor Francis Nwifuru issued the ultimatum on Monday night, the 9th of February, 2026, while addressing journalists at the Ochudo Centenary City, New Government House, Abakaliki, following an expanded meeting of the State Security Council. The meeting brought together heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, elders, women leaders and key stakeholders from the affected communities.
According to the governor, the emergency meeting was convened to tackle the persistent violence arising from a long-standing land dispute, review security interventions already in place and consider further steps to safeguard lives and property.
Nwifuru disclosed that the meeting was attended by senior security officials, including the Commissioner of Police, military commanders, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies.
He revealed that security investigations confirmed the killing of four individuals during the attacks, while four others were abducted and remain unaccounted for.
The governor said the state government believes the abducted persons may still be alive and stressed that they must be released unharmed.
He also acknowledged reports from the military on the discovery of shallow graves in the troubled area, describing the development as alarming and a grave threat to peace and public safety.
Nwifuru warned that the Amasiri community would face tougher measures if it failed to comply with the directive within the stipulated time, reiterating the government’s resolve to uphold the rule of law and restore stability.
He further cautioned residents against protests or actions capable of worsening the situation, noting that although some activities could ordinarily warrant arrests, the government was showing restraint in the interest of peace.
Earlier, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, stated that all sanctions earlier imposed on Amasiri would remain in force until the community fully met the government’s conditions.
She added that combined security operations involving the police, military, DSS and civil defence personnel were ongoing to ensure calm and to locate missing persons from neighbouring communities affected by the violence.
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Speaking for the Ebonyi State Founding Fathers, High Chief Hyacinth Ikpor commended the government’s intervention, saying the group was actively engaged in peace talks and committed to restoring stability in the area.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Ebonyi Elders Council, Engr. Ben Okah, assured the government of the council’s support, stressing that dialogue and unity were essential to resolving the conflict.
On behalf of the Amasiri community, Bishop Kenneth Oko Daniels pledged compliance with the state government’s directives and expressed confidence that peace would soon return through cooperation and adherence to lawful instructions.
Also speaking, Chief George Ukpai, representing the Edda Clan, welcomed the government’s action, describing it as reassuring and pledging that the clan would refrain from reprisals while supporting ongoing peace efforts.
The Ebonyi State Government reaffirmed its determination to achieve lasting peace in the affected communities, assuring residents that justice would prevail and that those responsible for the violence would be brought to account.