The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killing and beheading of four persons in Okporojọr Village, Oso Edda Community, Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, is believed to be linked to a long-standing land dispute between the people of Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area and their neighbours from Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area.
The two communities have been embroiled in violent clashes over ownership of a disputed farmland for several years.
The latest incident reportedly escalated into coordinated attacks by suspected warlords, resulting in the beheading of four persons, the burning of houses and destruction of farm produce.
Confirming the arrests during an assessment visit to the affected community on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Mrs Adaku Uche-Anya, said the command had taken swift action to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This attack led to the death of four persons—three males and one female,” the police commissioner said. “Several mud houses were burnt, windows of a church building were damaged, and harvested paddy rice was destroyed.”
Mrs Uche-Anya explained that the incident was directly connected to the protracted land dispute between Okporojọr Village in Oso Edda Community and Ndukwe Community in Amasiri, Afikpo.
“Upon receipt of the report, we immediately ordered the massive deployment of the command’s tactical squads to the scene to restore calm and normalcy,” she added.
The commissioner commiserated with residents of Okporojọr Village over the loss of lives and destruction of property, assuring them that investigations were ongoing and that all those involved would be prosecuted.
She further stated that security presence in the area would be sustained until lasting peace is restored, while warning residents against resorting to self-help or taking the law into their own hands.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Mr Chima Ekuma-Nkama, commended the Ebonyi State Government and the police for their prompt intervention, describing it as crucial in preventing further escalation.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has taken decisive political and traditional sanctions against the Amasiri Community over alleged complicity in the attack.
During a visit to Okporojọr on Saturday, the governor announced the sack of all political appointees from Amasiri Community, including commissioners and management committee members of the local government development centre. He also ordered the withdrawal of certificates of recognition from traditional rulers in Amasiri and dissolved all town union leaderships in the community.
According to the governor, the measures were necessary because the Amasiri Community had failed to demonstrate commitment to sustaining peace in the troubled area.
“The government has decided to bare its fangs,” Mr Nwifuru said, warning that violence and lawlessness would not be tolerated in any part of the state.