Gov Nwifuru Sacks All Political Appointees, Monarchs 

Ebonyi Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has sacked all political appointees, monarchs, village heads, and town union executives from Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of the State, according to Nigerian Tribune.

The removal of the leaders and stakeholders of Amasiri followed a violent attack on Okporojo, Oso Edda Community in Edda Local Government Area, on Thursday during which four persons were reportedly beheaded.

Nwifuru made the pronouncement on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo Oso Edda Community, where he addressed residents, community leaders, security agencies, and government officials.

Visibly saddened by the incident, Nwifuru 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 communitythe State government would decisively deal with those responsible, stressing that the lives lost would not be in vain.

“I am very pained by this development. As a careful leader, when you are angry, you speak less. But I want to assure you that the government of Ebonyi State will show the perpetrators what it truly means to be a government,” the governor said.

“The governor announced the immediate dissolution of the Amasiri Town Development Union and its executive members, the withdrawal of the traditional ruler’s certificate, and the removal of all village heads in the Amasiri autonomous community. I hereby order the sack of all political appointees from Amasiri Community, from members of management committees up to commissioners serving in this administration.

“For the time being, all these structures are dissolved. We will do more, and we will show everyone why we are a government,” Nwifuru declared.

He urged 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.

He also revealed 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 noted that his visit was a “strong signal” that the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness or disregard for the rule of law.

While commending security agencies for their swift response, the governor disclosed that security operatives had trekked long distances to track the perpetrators and had assured him of the safety of lives and property in the area. He pledged the full support of the state government to security agencies to restore lasting peace.

Turning to the role of Amasiri
Community in the crisis, Nwifuru issued a stern warning, stating that violence would never lead to a meaningful resolution. He cautioned that the situation was fast approaching “a point of no return” if provocations continued.

He then reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring permanent peace in Edda LGA and promised that by next year, the community would witness tangible improvements resulting from government intervention.

The visit ended with renewed calls for restraint, reconciliation, and cooperation with security agencies as the state moves to prevent further bloodshed in the area.

However, Tribune online gathered that among the four persons beheaded, two of the victims were old women above 70 years of age.

Nigerian Tribune