The Ebonyi State Governor, 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.

He also sacked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education from the area, Prof. Amari Omaka, and dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of the community.

The actions followed a violent attack on Okporojo in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area, during which four persons were allegedly beheaded, with their heads taken away by assailants from the Amasiri clan.

The governor gave the directives on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials.

Nwifuru described the attack as “most unfortunate” and said such a barbaric act should never be tolerated in Ebonyi State.

He assured that the state government would decisively deal with the perpetrators, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.

He urged residents to remain calm and embrace peace, warning that any form of retaliation would only worsen the situation. According to him, government actions would be firm but guided by the need to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

Nwifuru revealed that the conflict had lingered for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such agreements were repeatedly violated.

He noted that his visit was a “strong signal” that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.