•Governor Nwifuru of Ebonyi State
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has given the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area a 72-hour ultimatum to produce the severed heads of four persons allegedly beheaded and return four others abducted during recent violent attacks on Okporojo Oso Edda village in Edda Local Government Area.
Recall that following the brutal attack on Okporojo Oso Edda village, during which three persons were killed and beheaded while three others went missing, Governor Nwifuru sacked all political appointees from Amasiri, dethroned traditional rulers, dissolved the town union and village heads, shut down public and private schools, and imposed a curfew in the area.
The governor had earlier directed the community to produce the severed heads and abducted persons as a condition for lifting the sanctions, reports The Guardian.
Addressing journalists after an expanded State Security Council meeting on Monday, Nwifuru expressed dissatisfaction with the community’s response to the initial directive and issued another 72-hour ultimatum, warning that tougher measures would follow if the demands were not met.
The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, elders, women leaders, and stakeholders from the affected communities.
According to the governor, the meeting involved the Commissioner of Police, commanders of the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security formations, with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
“This meeting was convened to address the incessant killings in Amasiri and to brief stakeholders on the steps taken so far to stabilise the area and protect lives and property,” Nwifuru said.
He disclosed that investigations confirmed that four persons were killed — three of whom were beheaded — while another victim was later discovered in a shallow grave, with the head yet to be recovered.
“The heads we are demanding are four. Four people were killed, and four others were abducted. We believe those abducted are still alive, and that is why we insist they must be returned alive,” the governor stated.
Nwifuru also confirmed reports by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations on the discovery of shallow graves containing beheaded bodies, describing the findings as shocking.
“Bodies were found tied, beheaded and buried in shallow graves. Some victims are yet to be identified, and we suspect there may be more, including women and children,” he said.
While noting that military options were discussed, the governor said the immediate focus remained on ending the killings and restoring peace, warning that severe sanctions would be imposed if the community failed to comply.
“If these demands are not met within 72 hours, tougher sanctions will be applied to ensure that the law takes its full course,” he warned.
The governor also cautioned against protests, stressing that demonstrations were not permitted in situations involving land disputes and breakdown of law and order.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, said all sanctions placed on Amasiri would remain until the community produces the severed heads, returns the abducted persons, and hands over those responsible.
“Amasiri has been given three days to produce the heads of those beheaded, return the four abducted persons, and fish out the perpetrators. Enforcement by the police, military, DSS and civil defence will continue until these conditions are met,” she said.
She added that security agencies were still searching for missing persons from neighbouring communities affected by the violence.
