The Ebonyi State Government Security Council has directed that the severed heads of residents killed in Okporojo community, Oso-Edda, must be recovered within 72 hours, following the deadly attack of January 29 that claimed four lives.
The directive was contained in a communiqué released after a high-level security meeting held on Monday and made public on Tuesday through a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor.
According to the statement, the council reviewed reports surrounding the attack and agreed to strengthen earlier security measures to prevent further violence in the area.
As part of its resolutions, the council confirmed that the curfew earlier imposed on the affected communities would remain in force. The curfew runs from 2 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily.
The council also issued a firm ultimatum to the Amasiri community, insisting that the severed heads of the victims must be returned within three days.
In addition, it ordered the release of four abducted residents of Okporojo within the same period.
The council further directed that all funeral arrangements for the victims should be suspended until their severed heads are recovered.
It warned that failure to comply with the directives would attract serious legal consequences.
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The incident is believed to be connected to a long-standing land dispute between Okporojo community in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area, and the neighbouring Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, security agencies have continued investigations into the killings. The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers and other individuals during a joint security operation involving the police, army, DSS and NSCDC.
Governor Francis Nwifuru has also reportedly dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan as part of efforts to restore peace and order in the area.
