February 10, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | News
The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the immediate recovery of the remains of four residents killed during the January 29 violent attack on Okporojo community in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area, and directed that four abducted residents be released within three days.
The directive followed a high-level security meeting convened on Monday to review the deadly incident, which has been linked to a long-standing land dispute between Okporojo community in Oso-Edda and Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, said the meeting brought together top security commanders and state stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Police, Ebonyi State Elders Council, Founding Fathers Council, and members of the State Executive Council.
According to the communiqué, the council resolved to reinforce security measures to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the affected areas.
The state government confirmed that curfews already imposed on the communities would remain in force, with movement restricted from 2pm to 10am daily.
More critically, the council issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the recovery of the severed heads of the slain victims, insisting that the Amasiri community must ensure their return within the stipulated period.
“The Council insisted that all the severed heads of slain members of the Okporojo Community by the Amasiri warlords MUST be recovered by the Amasiri people within the next 72 hours,” the statement said.
The government also ordered the unconditional release of the four residents abducted during the violence within three days.
As part of the measures, all funeral arrangements for the deceased victims have been suspended until the recovery of the severed heads.
“The Council put on hold all funeral arrangements being made by families of the slain victims pending full compliance with these directives,” the statement added.
The Ebonyi State Government warned that failure to comply would attract severe legal consequences.
“The Council warned the Amasiri community to ensure strict adherence to the directives, failure of which will attract the full weight of the law,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, investigations into the killings are ongoing. The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia, in connection with the attacks.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the arrests were made during a joint security operation involving the Police, Nigerian Army, DSS, and NSCDC, noting that all suspects are currently in custody.
In a further move to restore peace, Governor Francis Nwifuru has dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan following his visit to the affected community.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
