Nwifuru reinstates two traditional rulers, receives interim report
By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
ABAKALIKI — Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has reinstated the traditional rulers of Ndukwe and Amasiri communities who were dethroned following the communal crisis between Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area and Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area of the state.
Nwifuru announced the reinstatement while receiving the interim report of the Amasiri-Edda Boundary Adjustment and Demarcation Committee at his office in Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki.
The governor had constituted the committee, headed by the state Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobashi, following the deadly clash at Okporojo, Oso-Edda, on February 6, 2026, which reportedly resulted in the killing and beheading of four persons.
The committee was mandated, among other responsibilities, to establish the remote and immediate causes of the crisis between Amasiri and Okporojo, Oso-Edda, as well as resolve the boundary dispute.
Receiving the report, Nwifuru said peace remained a priority of his administration, warning that social unrest and communal disturbances would not be allowed to undermine development in the state.
“In our administration, we are committed to making peace in all the communities in this state. We are happy people are making sacrifices to support our peace efforts.
“I thank the committee for identifying the causes of the problem, which I am told has lingered for more than 100 years,” he said.
The governor commended members of the committee for what he described as the difficult task of investigating the dispute, expressing confidence in the credibility of their work.
Nwifuru also dismissed insinuations that the government’s peace efforts were targeted at any particular clan or community.
“This matter has been a very big dent on this government and we have to make a decision. Some of the social media influencers who are uninformed believe we are witch-hunting some communities,” he said.
He said the government’s decision to review some of its earlier actions should not be interpreted as weakness, stressing that its primary objective was to restore lasting peace.
“We do not blame, because our people know the truth. Amasiri should know that, as a government, we have no interest. Our interest is the peace that will give us development. Where there’s no peace, there is no development. We are willing to make peace,” the governor said.
Nwifuru directed the communities to maintain the status quo pending the completion of the boundary demarcation exercise, warning residents against trespassing or interfering with the process.
“We hereby accept the report and insist the status quo should be maintained as the demarcation exercise is being carried out. None should interfere and trespass on each other’s land,” he warned.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Nwobashi, said members had held several meetings, engaged residents and visited the disputed areas to establish the facts surrounding the boundary disagreement.
“We have surveyed the areas. We went to the areas in question, made sketches and reached decisions. This is why we deemed it necessary to present this interim report to Your Excellency,” he said.
Nwobashi commended the governor for what he described as his forthrightness, compassion and commitment to preventing further escalation of the Amasiri-Edda communal crisis.
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