By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Government on Saturday night imposed a daily curfew from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Amasiri Communities, Afikpo local government Area of the state, following the killing and beheading of five persons in Okporojo village, Oso Edda, in Edda Local Government Area.

The victims were allegedly murdered by suspected warlords from Amasiri Communities.

Governor Francis Nwifuru announced the measures during a high-level security meeting held at the New Government House, Abakaliki, shortly after an on-the-spot assessment visit to Okporojo village to ascertain the extent of destruction.

As part of far-reaching security decisions, the governor ordered the immediate closure of all government and private primary and secondary schools in Amasiri Community.

Parents and guardians were advised to relocate their children and wards to schools outside the area.

Nwifuru disclosed that the State Security Council had resolved to dethrone all traditional rulers in Amasiri Clan.

In line with the decision, the government has dethroned two traditional rulers, with official letters to be issued to them.

The council further directed the immediate dissolution of all development union executives, village heads, women leaders, youth leaders, peer groups, and all community-based organisations operating within Amasiri Clan. The state government approved and implemented the directive with immediate effect.

Additionally, the council directed that the chairmen of Afikpo, Onicha, Ohaozara, and Ivo Local Government Areas should temporarily take over governance and administrative responsibilities in Amasiri Community.

On legislative action, the council advised the state government to repeal the law establishing Amasiri Development Centre.

The Ebonyi State Government confirmed that a bill to repeal the 2015 Local Government and Development Centre Law has been prepared and will be transmitted to the State House of Assembly to remove Amasiri Development Centre from the list of recognised development centres.

The governor also ordered the immediate redeployment of all staff of the Amasiri Development Centre to their parent local governments, where they are to continue their official duties.

All public and private schools in Amasiri Development Centre and Amasiri Clan have been shut down, with teachers and tutors directed to report to schools in other communities.

Furthermore, all markets, shops, banks, and business activities in Amasiri are to remain closed daily between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. in line with the imposed curfew.

The State Security Council also directed law enforcement agencies to recover the severed heads of the victims and ensure that all perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

Governor Nwifuru stressed that all security agencies have been mandated to implement the council’s resolutions with immediate effect.

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