Police arrest two monarchs, one other over Ebonyi killings

Police in Ebonyi State have arrested the coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, in Afikpo Local Government Area, alongside two traditional rulers, in connection with the killings in Okporojo community, Edda Local Government Area.

Four persons were killed during the attack, with three reportedly beheaded and taken away by assailants from the Amasiri clan.

Confirming the arrests, the Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, identified the detained traditional rulers as Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia.

“Yes, following the attack, the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers, and other individuals were arrested during a joint security operation,” Ukandu told Channels TV on Tuesday.

All suspects are currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing. The command will not relent until everyone involved is brought to justice.”

Ukandu said the operation was jointly carried out by the police, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He added that 10 suspects had earlier been arrested as investigations into the incident continued.

The killings followed a long-standing land dispute between residents of Okporojo village in the Oso Edda community, Edda LGA, and their neighbours from Amasiri in Afikpo LGA.

The dispute reportedly escalated on January 29, when suspected armed persons attacked Okporojo village, killing four residents and destroying houses and other property.

In response to the incident, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan in Afikpo LGA.

The governor sacked the officials on Sunday during a visit to Okporojo village in the Oso Edda community.

Earlier, a traditional leader in the affected community had called for urgent government intervention, urging security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the violence.