Boundary Dispute: Nwifuru relaxes curfew on Ebonyi community, vows to prosecute suspects
Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced a relaxation of the curfew earlier imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community in Ebonyi State following a protracted boundary dispute. He, however, vowed that all suspects
Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced a relaxation of the curfew earlier imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community in Ebonyi State following a protracted boundary dispute.
He, however, vowed that all suspects arrested in connection with the violence will be prosecuted.
He stated this at a media briefing after a State Security Council meeting held on Tuesday at the Government House in Abakaliki, capital of the state.
The governor said the council reviewed developments in the crisis involving Amasiri, Okporojo and Akpoha communities.
He disclosed that after assessing ongoing investigations and security reports, the council agreed to adjust the 20 hours curfew he had earlier imposed on Amasiri to now run daily from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
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“The council agreed to review the curfew imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community following the progress made so far and the relative peace recorded in the area,” Nwifuru said.
The governor, however, stressed that more stringent security measures would be enforced in Amasiri to ensure the full restoration of law and order.
He cited the gruesome nature of some of the killings, including cases where victims’ severed heads were yet to be recovered, as justification for the tougher stance.
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According to him, all individuals arrested in connection with the violence between Amasiri and neighbouring communities would be charged to court without delay.
“Those arrested should not remain in police custody. They should be charged to court. While our legal system presumes every suspect innocent until proven guilty, we have made significant progress.
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"Some confessional statements and information provided by suspects led security agencies to shallow graves,” he said.
Nwifuru added that several persons had been arrested and that security agencies were intensifying efforts to apprehend others still at large.
He assured residents that the government would prosecute all those found culpable.
The governor also announced that schools in the affected community would remain closed for now despite the relaxation of the curfew.
He explained that the initial restrictions were not meant to punish residents but to protect lives and property and to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
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“Imposing a curfew is not to show power but to maintain law and order. Based on security intelligence available to us, these measures have prevented further loss of lives,” he stated, adding that the reopening of schools would be reviewed at the next council meeting.
On concerns raised about cyberbullying and inflammatory comments on social media related to the crisis, Nwifuru described the trend as a growing menace.
He said the government would not be distracted by online attacks but would remain focused on restoring peace.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace in the troubled communities and expressed optimism that ongoing security operations would yield further results.
