Governor dethrones traditional rulers over deadly land dispute

The Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has dethroned traditional rulers from the Amasiri community of Afikpo Local Government Area over alleged complicity in a violent land dispute resulting in four deaths and destruction of several properties

Penpushing reports that Nwifuru on visit to the Okporojo village, on Saturday, said that the Amasiri community had not shown enough commitment to maintain permanent peace in the area.

The Governor who declared that the government had decided to bare its fangs, also announced the sack of political appointees, which include commissioners from the local government, as well as all town union leaderships of villages

‘All government appointees from Amasiri from the local government development centre–management committee members to commissioners have been sacked. Traditional rulers from Amasiri will have their certificates of recognition withdrawn while all town union leaderships of villages in the community are dissolved,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that he explained and counselled that the Amasiri residents should correct the notion that he was against them, pointing out that he was not against anybody, but only did right thing.

“The governor counselled the Amasiri people to correct the notion that he was against them. I am not against anybody. I only say the truth, and we love and adore the Amasiri people. They should have a change of heart and I am sure that the community still has people who worship and do God’s wish’, he stated

Penpushing also reports that Nwifuru assured the people of Okporojo that the government would not abandon them as everything would be done to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“I beg the people of Okporojo to shun reprisals as they would see the immediate impact of government actions on the issue.“I thank security agencies for their prompt response and I urge them to do more in ensuring adequate security in the area” he said.

Penpushing reports that the Chairman of Edda Local Government Council, Chima Ekuma-Nkama thanked the governor for the visit, noting that it has re-enforced the people’s belief in the government.

“The people hitherto said they have been abandoned by the government but they have seen that the government is with them. It is disappointing to see human heads severed from their bodies and we wonder what the aggressors are doing with those heads,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that one of the victims, Joy Okoro, explained that she lost a loved one and had her house burnt during the attack, and called for justice, stressing that that will make the people believe sound and healthy existence in the community

The Governor during the visit was accompanied by heads of security agencies in the state and top government officials, especially from the affected local government areas, while it is recalled that Amasiri community was recently involved in a land dispute with neighbouring Okporojo village, in Oso community of Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi, resulting in four deaths and destruction of several properties.

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