Ebonyi Land dispute: State govt gives Amasiri community 72-hour ultimatum to produce Okporojo victims’ heads, 4 abducted persons

The Amasiri people have been given an ultimatum of 72 hours to produce the missing heads of the four victims of their attack on Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda LGA and Akpoha in Afikpo LGA or face greater sanctions from government.

 

They were also mandated to, within the 72 hours, produce the four reportedly abducted persons from their two neighbouring communities, Oso Edda and Akpoha, who are reportedly missing as a result of the attacks.

 

The ultimatum was part of decisions reached at an expanded security council meeting involving heads of all security agencies, Elders Council and founding fathers of the state, as well as stakeholders of Afikpo and Edda LGAs.

 

The meeting which lasted for over 10 hours was held on Monday at the conference hall of the Governor office, Government House, Abakaliki.

 

The state Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, who addressed journalists on this and other decisions of the council said the measures were part of efforts by the Ebonyi state government to tackle the unfortunate outcome of the violent dispute between Amasiri in Afikpo LGA, Okporojo in Oso Edda, Edda LGA and Akpoha in Afikpo LGA of the state.

 

Uche-Anya emphasised that the council after review of the situation, upheld that the curfew and other existing sanctions against Amasiri community should remain as they were until they comply with the council’s directive.

 

Responding to questions from journalists, Governor Francis Nwifuru confirmed the news of discovered shallow graves in Amasiri containing mutilated bodies of killed victims, including children, some without heads.

 

The governor noted that there are strong indication that many more persons than reported, have been killed and buried in the shallow graves and explained that three out of the four heads of victims are from Okporojo while one belong to the Akpoha community.

 

He strengthened the council’s decision on Amasiri, stressing that government will not fail to further deal decisively against the community should they fail to comply with the directive.

 

In their seperate remarks, the spokespersons of Ebonyi founding fathers and the Elders Council, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor and Engr. Ben Okah respectively, backed the Ebonyi state government and the security council’s decision.

 

They commended the proactive approach of Governor Nwifuru and the security agencies which they observed, have saved the area from greater calamities, stressing that human life should be respected as sacred.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Amasiri people, Bishop Kenneth Oko, said they would take the council’s order home for necessary action, stressing that the stakeholders of the community would continue to cooperate with the government to ensure that the dispute is nipped and permanent peace is return to the affected areas.

 

Similarly, George Ndukwe Ukpai who spoke for the Edda people, further appreciated the government for its positive approach to the dispute, and assured that Edda people will continue to maintain a peaceful disposition.

 

He reassured the government and the people of Amasiri that there will be no reprisals from Edda.