The Ebonyi State Government has issued a three-day ultimatum to restore peace following renewed violence in Okporojo community, Oso Edda, in Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The ultimatum followed an expanded stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies, during which Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru directed alleged Amasiri warlords to return the heads of victims killed during the recent attack on the community.
Nwifuru said the enforcement of curfew and other punitive measures in the area would continue until peace is fully restored, while urging elders of the Amasiri community to ensure compliance with the resolutions reached at the meeting.
“The purpose of this meeting is on the issues arising from the killings at Okporojo by the Amasri warlords and the security agencies briefed the stakeholders.
“We had a security council meeting and we agreed on some issues which they briefed to the stakeholders and enumerated the actions that we’ve taking for the processes of stabilizing the area and maintaining the law and order and also protecting the lives and property of the people of Amasiri and that of Okporojo.
“The people of Amasiri have 3 days to return the heads of the victims killed during the attack,” the governor said.
Chief George Ukpai, speaking on behalf of the Edda Clan, welcomed the state government’s intervention and described it as reassuring, assuring that members of the clan would refrain from reprisals and support ongoing peace efforts.
Representing the Amasiri community, Bishop Kenneth Oko Daniels said the community was ready to comply with the directives issued by the state government and to cooperate fully in the peace process, expressing optimism that calm would soon be restored through adherence to lawful instructions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ebonyi Elders Council, Engr. Ben Okah, pledged the council’s cooperation with the government, stressing that dialogue, unity and mutual understanding remained critical to resolving the crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the Ebonyi State Founding Fathers, High Chief Hyacinth Ikpor expressed support for the government’s intervention, noting that the group was participating in peace engagements aimed at restoring stability in the affected area.
The Ebonyi State Government reiterated its commitment to achieving lasting peace in the communities, assuring residents that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable in accordance with the law.