The Police Command in Ebonyi State has announced the detention of ten suspects implicated in the gruesome killing and beheading of four individuals in Okporojọr Village, located in the Oso Edda Community within the state’s Edda Local Government Area.
This violent incident, which took place on Thursday, has been associated with a prolonged land conflict between the Oso Edda community and their Amasiri neighbors in the Afikpo Local Government Area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the two adjacent villages have been embroiled in a bitter feud over a disputed agricultural land for several years.
NAN further reports that the recent clashes resulted in the alleged orchestrators beheading four victims, setting dwellings ablaze, and destroying valuable personal properties within the village.
Ebonyi’s Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, expressed grave concern during her visit to the affected area on Saturday, confirming that ten individuals had been arrested for their role in this heinous act.
“This attack has led to the deaths of four individuals: three males and one female. It also resulted in the burning of several mud houses, damage to a church building, and destruction of harvested rice,” she stated.
The police chief clarified that the turmoil is directly tied to a protracted land disagreement between Okporojọr Village in Oso Edda and the Ndukwe community from Amasiri, Afikpo.
“Upon receiving the report, we immediately deployed our tactical units to the scene to restore order and maintain peace,” she noted.
While addressing the local populace, Commissioner Uche-Anya extended condolences to the residents of Okporojọr village over the tragic losses suffered and the destruction faced.
She reassured them of the police force's dedication to achieving justice in this case, emphasizing that ongoing investigations would persist until all perpetrators are apprehended.
The commissioner also guaranteed that the current security presence would be sustained until the situation is entirely resolved and urged community members to refrain from taking matters into their own hands.
Chima Ekuma-Nkama, the Chairman of the Edda local council, commended the Ebonyi State Government and law enforcement for their timely intervention.
In a related development, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has dismissed political appointees and dethroned traditional leaders from the Amasiri community due to their suspected involvement in the violent incident.
Governor Nwifuru, during a visit to the Okporojo community on Saturday, expressed disappointment over the Amasiri community's lack of commitment to ensuring lasting peace in the region, declaring that the government would take decisive actions.
“All political appointees hailing from Amasiri, ranging from local government management committee members to commissioners, have been relieved of their duties. Additionally, traditional rulers from Amasiri will have their titles revoked, and all town union leaderships within the community will be dissolved,” he stated.
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