Police arrest coordinator, 2 monarchs over killings in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, and two traditional rulers over their alleged involvement in the killing of four persons in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Ukandu said the arrest followed a joint operation involving the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Ukandu noted that two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia, from Amasiri in Afikpo LGA are also in their custody.

The police spokesperson disclosed that 10 people were earlier arrested in connection with the incident.

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He said: “On the Thursday attack, the update is that the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers from Amasiri and other individuals were arrested by a joint operation of the security agencies in the state.

“Those arrested are all in our custody and investigations on the killings are still ongoing.

“The command and other security personnel will not relent until all those involved are brought to justice.”

There has been a long standing land dispute between the people of Okporojor in Oso Edda community in Edda and their Amasiri neighbours in Afikpo LGA.

Suspected warlords from Amasiri community, on Jan 29, 2026, attacked Okporojor village and beheaded four persons, burnt houses, and destroyed other valuable property.

The Star