Governor Francis Nwifuru has relaxed the curfew imposed on Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the gruesome killings in nearby Okporojo, Oso-Edda.
The governor announced the adjustment on Tuesday after a State Security Council meeting held at the Government House in Centenary City, Abakaliki. Under the revised directive, movement in Amasiri will now be restricted from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., easing the earlier 2 p.m. to 10 a.m. curfew imposed in the wake of the violence.
The restrictions were introduced after an attack on January 29, 2026, in Okporojo, Edda Local Government Area, where unidentified gunmen allegedly ambushed residents, set homes ablaze, and killed at least four people.
The victims were reportedly beheaded, with their severed heads taken away by the assailants. Disturbing video footage that later circulated online showed burning houses and desperate calls for government intervention.
Governor Nwifuru stated that Amasiri community leaders had failed to comply with a 72-hour ultimatum to produce the missing heads of the victims — a development he warned could attract stricter measures. He confirmed that schools in Amasiri remain closed for safety reasons while security agencies continue investigations.
He further disclosed that all arrested suspects linked to the killings would be charged to court, assuring residents that the state government would pursue justice decisively.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, a visibly angered Nwifuru took sweeping administrative action. He dismissed all government appointees from Amasiri, dissolved the community development union leadership, removed all village heads across the autonomous communities, and withdrew recognition of the traditional ruler.
Describing the killings as “most unfortunate” and an unprecedented level of brutality in the state, the governor vowed firm action.
“For the time being, the development union executives and all village heads in Amasiri communities are dissolved. The traditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn. All government appointees from Amasiri are hereby sacked,” he declared.
He assured the affected communities that those responsible would face the full weight of the law and emphasized that the lives lost would not be in vain.
The incident has heightened security concerns in the area, with authorities maintaining a strong presence as investigations continue.
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