Dare Babalola
The Ebonyi State Government has mandated the destruction of shrines and deities in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area, citing involvement in recent violence.
Governor Nwifuru ordered the demolition of the shrines and deities, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, issued on Friday, following a state security meeting on Thursday.
Amasiri was recently involved in a renewed land dispute with neighbouring Okporojo, in the Oso community of Edda Local Government Area, leading to several deaths and the destruction of several properties.
The attack turned gruesome as the assailants beheaded four victims, taking their severed heads.
Nwifuru had slapped sanctions on Amasiri, including removing its political appointees, dethroning traditional rulers, imposing curfew, shutting schools, and more.
The governor had insisted at several fora that punitive measures should be sustained on the community until the severed heads are returned and perpetrators of the dastardly act are arrested.
Nwifuru directed that stakeholders of Amasiri show the government and security agencies the locations of the shrines and deities.
“The state government has constituted a 19–member committee to demarcate the disputed boundary between Okporojo and Amasiri communities.
“The demarcation has become expedient since the two parties had signed an agreement to that effect.
“The committee is headed by the State Commissioner for Border and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobashi and includes the surveyor general of the state; commissioner for lands and survey, among others,” he said.
He said that the curfew imposed on the Amasiri community remains in force until the severed heads of the victims of the Okporojo killings are recovered,” he said.
