Groups urge Nwifuru to end alleged right abuses in Ebonyi community
Civil society organisations under the aegis of Advocates for Good Governance have appealed to Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, to urgently intervene in the reported worsening humanitarian crisis
Civil society organisations under the aegis of Advocates for Good Governance have appealed to Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, to urgently intervene in the reported worsening humanitarian crisis in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area, warning that residents are facing severe hardship and uncertainty.
The groups said the situation has left many families displaced, hungry and living in fear following renewed violence linked to the long-standing boundary dispute between Amasiri and neighbouring Edda communities.
The conflict, which has lasted for decades over disputed farmland, has reportedly claimed many lives and destroyed property worth billions of naira, with last week’s beheading of four persons in Okporojo-Oso Edda marking a dangerous escalation.
In response to the killings, Governor Nwifuru announced sanctions against Amasiri, including the removal of government appointees from the community, moves to strip Amasiri of its development area status, dethronement of two traditional rulers, dissolution of community unions and the imposition of a 20-hour curfew.
The governor also directed the chairmen of Ivo, Onicha and Ohaozara Local Government Areas to assume administrative oversight of Amasiri, while schools were shut down as part of emergency measures.
However, the groups expressed concern that innocent residents are bearing the brunt of the crisis, alleging that the humanitarian situation has worsened amid the operations of security personnel deployed to restore peace.
They urged the governor, as Chief Security Officer of the state, to order an immediate, transparent and humane investigation into allegations against some security operatives operating in the community.
Speaking through their spokesman, Onyedika Agbo, the groups warned that continued silence by authorities while residents reportedly suffer could be interpreted as tacit approval of the situation.
They noted that a joint security task force was deployed to Amasiri on January 30 to enforce the curfew and restore calm, but said disturbing allegations have since emerged from residents.
According to them, residents have reported incidents of extrajudicial killings, burning of homes and destruction of farm produce allegedly worth hundreds of millions of naira, leaving families homeless and without livelihoods.
Community members further claimed that although the establishment of a military presence initially created hope for stability, the situation has allegedly degenerated into widespread fear, displacement and psychological trauma.
The groups said women, children and elderly persons have reportedly fled into nearby bushes for safety, with observers describing the situation as resembling collective punishment of innocent civilians.
They stressed that security agencies have a constitutional duty to protect lives and property and must remain neutral, warning that any action that creates fear among citizens erodes public trust.
The groups also raised concerns that the prolonged curfew has restricted movement, limiting access to healthcare, food and other essential services, while destruction of farm produce could trigger a food crisis if urgent intervention is not provided.
They called for an independent investigation by the National Human Rights Commission, unrestricted humanitarian access to Amasiri and increased media attention, insisting that the plight of residents requires urgent government action and national concern.
