Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has wielded the big stick by dethroning the traditional rulers in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state over the mayhem that greeted the communities.
He also sacked a Commissioner from the area, Professor Amari Omaka (SAN), who is in charge of tertiary education.
The Governor also dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of the area over a violent attack against Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area of the state, during which four persons were beheaded and their heads taken away.
The governor announced the sweeping sanctions yesterday afternoon during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo, Oso Edda, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials.
Nwifuru, who was furious over the killings, described the attack as “most unfortunate” and said he never expected such a level of brutality to occur in the state.
He assured the affected community that the state government would decisively deal with those responsible for the mayhem, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.
He appealed to the residents to remain calm and embrace peace, warning that retaliatory violence 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.
The governor further disclosed that the conflict had lingered for years despite several reconciliation efforts, including boundary agreements between the affected communities, lamenting that such agreements were not respected.
He reiterated that his visit was a “strong signal” that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.
