Ebonyi Governor Dissolves Amasiri Leadership, Dethrones Monarch After Deadly Okporojo Attack

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dissolved the leadership structures of Amasiri Community and withdrawn the certificate of its traditional ruler following a gruesome attack on Okporojo Community in Edda Local Government Area.

The governor announced the sweeping sanctions on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, where at least four residents were reportedly killed and beheaded by suspected armed attackers.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of January 29, 2026, when unidentified gunmen allegedly invaded the community, torching houses and escaping with the severed heads of their victims. Graphic videos of burning homes later surfaced online, triggering widespread outrage and calls for government intervention.

Visibly angered by the killings, Governor Nwifuru described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable, stating that such brutality should never occur in Ebonyi State.

“As a result of this incident, the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive are hereby dissolved. The traditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn, and all village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities are removed,” the governor declared.

He further ordered the immediate dismissal of all government appointees from Amasiri, including commissioners, management committee members, and other political office holders. Among those affected is the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Amari Omaka (SAN).

The governor directed all sacked appointees to hand over government property in their possession, including official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government without delay.

Nwifuru assured the people of Okporojo that the state government would decisively pursue those behind the attack, stressing that the victims’ deaths would not be in vain.

He urged residents of affected communities to remain calm and avoid reprisals, warning that retaliation would only escalate the crisis.

According to the governor, the conflict has persisted for years despite multiple reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements that were repeatedly violated.

“My message to the people of Amasiri is simple: violence will never lead to peace. This situation is dangerously close to the point of no return, and any further provocation will attract serious consequences,” he warned.

Nwifuru emphasized that his administration would no longer tolerate lawlessness, adding that firm actions would be taken to restore lasting peace in Edda and surrounding communities.

“The government of Ebonyi State will show the perpetrators why we are in charge. This kind of rascality will never happen again,” he said.

The governor concluded by appealing for peace, assuring residents that by next year, they would begin to see tangible results of government intervention aimed at preventing future violence.