EBONYI GOVT ORDERS DEMOLITION OF SHRINES IN AMASIRI OVER VIOLENT LAND DISPUTE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the destruction of all shrines and deities in the Amasiri community of Afikpo Local Government Area over its alleged complicity in a recent violent conflict.

The directive was issued by the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, following an enlarged state security meeting held on Thursday.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, the governor directed community stakeholders to identify and reveal the locations of the shrines and deities to the authorities.

The crisis reportedly stemmed from a renewed land dispute between Amasiri and the neighbouring Okporojo community in Oso, located in Edda Local Government Area.

The conflict led to several deaths and widespread destruction of property. Reports indicated that the violence took a gruesome turn when attackers allegedly beheaded four victims and fled with the severed heads.

The governor had earlier imposed several sanctions on Amasiri, including the removal of its political appointees, the dethronement of its traditional rulers, the closure of schools, and the imposition of a curfew on the community.

Nwifuru maintained that the punitive measures would remain in place until the severed heads of the victims are recovered and those responsible for the killings are apprehended.

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted a 19-member committee to demarcate the disputed boundary between Okporojo and Amasiri communities.

According to the statement, the committee is headed by the Commissioner for Border and Conflict Resolution, Paul Nwobashi, and includes the state’s Surveyor-General as well as the Commissioner for Lands and Survey.

The government said the boundary demarcation became necessary after both communities agreed to the process as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.

It added that the curfew imposed on Amasiri would remain in force until the severed heads of the victims are recovered.