Ebonyi orders demolition of shrines over gruesome killings

The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the demolition of all shrines and deities in Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area following its alleged involvement in a violent conflict that left several people dead.

Governor Francis Nwifuru issued the directive after an enlarged state security meeting held on Thursday. The order was conveyed in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor.

The decision comes in the wake of a renewed land dispute between Amasiri and neighbouring Okporojo in the Oso community of Edda Local Government Area, which escalated into violent clashes resulting in multiple deaths and destruction of property.

The killings took a gruesome turn when attackers reportedly beheaded four victims and fled with their severed heads.

In response, Nwifuru had earlier imposed sanctions on Amasiri community, including the removal of its political appointees, the dethronement of its traditional rulers, the imposition of a curfew, and the closure of schools in the area.

The governor has repeatedly insisted that the punitive measures will remain in place until the severed heads are recovered and those responsible for the killings are arrested.

As part of the latest directive, the governor ordered community stakeholders to identify and show security agencies the locations of all shrines and deities in the area for demolition.

Meanwhile, the state government has set up a 19-member committee to demarcate the disputed boundary between the Okporojo and Amasiri communities after both parties agreed to the move.

The committee is headed by the State Commissioner for Border and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobashi, and includes the state Surveyor-General as well as the Commissioner for Lands and Survey.

According to the statement, the curfew imposed on Amasiri community will remain in force until the severed heads of the victims from the Okporojo killings are recovered.