The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the destruction of all shrines and deities in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area.
This it revealed, following the LGA’s alleged role in a violent land dispute with neighbouring Okporojo in Edda Local Government Area.
Governor Francis Nwifuru gave the directive after an enlarged state security meeting on Thursday. The order was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor.
The dispute between the two communities recently escalated, resulting in several deaths and widespread destruction of property.
Authorities said the killings took a gruesome turn when attackers allegedly beheaded four victims and fled with their severed heads.
As part of the government’s response, Nwifuru had earlier imposed sanctions on Amasiri, including the removal of political appointees from the community, the dethronement of traditional rulers, the closure of schools, and the imposition of a curfew.
The governor has maintained that the sanctions will remain until the missing heads are recovered and those responsible for the killings are arrested.
He also directed community stakeholders to assist the government and security agencies by identifying the locations of the shrines and deities slated for demolition.
“The state government has constituted a 19–member committee to demarcate the disputed boundary between Okporojo and Amasiri communities,” the statement said.
“The demarcation has become expedient since the two parties had signed an agreement to that effect.”
The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner for Border and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobashi, and includes the state surveyor general and the commissioner for lands and survey, among others.
According to the government, the curfew imposed on Amasiri will remain in place until the severed heads of the victims are recovered.
