Ebonyi gov sacks commissioner, removes traditional rulers as 4 beheaded in deadly attack

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the removal of traditional rulers in the Amasiri clan of Afikpo Local Government Area and directed the withdrawal of their staff of office following a violent incident in the state.

The governor also dismissed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education from the area, Prof. Amari Omaka, and dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of the Amasiri community.

These decisions followed an attack on Okporojo in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area, where four persons were allegedly beheaded, with their heads taken away by assailants said to be from the Amasiri clan.

Nwifuru issued the directives on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he met with residents, community leaders, security personnel and government officials.

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Describing the incident as “most unfortunate,” the governor said such a barbaric act would not be tolerated in Ebonyi State, assuring residents that the government would deal decisively with those responsible.

He stressed that the lives lost would not be in vain and appealed to residents to remain calm, warning that retaliation would only escalate the crisis.

According to him, the state’s response would be firm but guided by the need to restore peace and prevent further violence.

Nwifuru said the conflict had persisted for several years despite multiple reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, noting that such agreements were repeatedly violated.

He described his visit as a “strong signal” that the government would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.

Addressing the role of the Amasiri community, the governor warned that violence could never provide a lasting solution, cautioning that continued provocations could push the situation to “a point of no return.”

Consequently, he announced the immediate 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 further ordered the dismissal of all political appointees from the Amasiri community, including management committee members and commissioners serving in his administration.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring peace in Edda Local Government Area, Nwifuru promised that government intervention would bring visible improvements to the community by next year.

He said: “I am particularly very saddened. I repent of this kind of development. I have never in my whole life expected this kind of development. It is quite unfortunate. But as a careful leader, you speak less when you are very angry, and at this moment I will speak less.

“I want to assure the people of Okporojo autonomous community that the government of Ebonyi State will definitely show the perpetrators what it means to challenge government authority. I promise you, the lives lost will never be in vain by the special grace of God.

“I am seeking the right words at this moment so that I do not escalate the crisis, but I plead with all of you to maintain peace. At the end of the day, those who started this violence will regret it. My visit here today will leave a very bold mark.

“By the end of today, you will see the outcome of this visit. And I promise you, as long as I remain your governor, this kind of rascality will never happen again.”

Speaking on the Afikpo Local Government leadership, the governor said:
“The Chairman of Afikpo is here. He is known for his doggedness, peace-loving nature and respect for the rule of law. But if his subjects decide to take lives at will, it is a pity.”

He added: “If you see a quiet person, do not push him to the wall. I have been pushed to the wall. This matter did not start today. We have held several meetings, traced boundaries and reached agreements. But it has now reached a critical point.

“My message to the people of Amasiri is to rethink their actions. Violence will never lead them anywhere. I have also heard that Akpoha community blocked their road because they feared an attack. This shows how far things have gone.”

Concluding, Nwifuru said: “On this note, for now, the development union executives and all village leadership structures in Amasiri are hereby dissolved. The traditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn. All government appointees from Amasiri, from management committee members to commissioners, are hereby sacked. All village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities are removed. We will do more, and we will show everyone why we are government.”