The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the recovery of the remains of four residents killed during the January 29 attack on Okporojo community in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area, and directed that four other residents abducted during the violence be released within three days.
The directives were contained in a communiqué issued after a high-level security meeting held on Monday and made public on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor.
According to the statement, the meeting reviewed security reports surrounding the attack and resolved to strengthen measures aimed at preventing a further breakdown of law and order in the affected areas.
The meeting brought together senior security officials, including military and paramilitary commanders, the Commissioner of Police, representatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as members of the State Executive Council, the Ebonyi State Elders Council, and the Founding Fathers Council.
Following deliberations, the council confirmed that restrictive security measures already imposed on the affected communities would remain in force.
“The Council upheld the continued enforcement of security measures, including a daily curfew from 2pm to 10am,” the statement said.
The government also issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the recovery of all missing remains of the victims and directed that the four residents abducted during the incident must be released within three days.
In addition, the council ordered the suspension of all funeral arrangements for the slain residents until the directives are fully complied with, warning that failure to do so would attract legal consequences.
“The Council warned that strict adherence to these directives is mandatory, and any violation will attract the full weight of the law,” the statement added.
Investigations into the killings are ongoing. Authorities have linked the violence to a long-standing land dispute between Okporojo community in Oso-Edda and neighbouring Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Earlier, the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia, in connection with the attack.
Police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the arrests were carried out during a joint security operation involving the police, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, adding that all suspects are currently in custody.
Governor Francis Nwifuru has since dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan, describing the move as part of urgent steps to restore peace and prevent further violence in the area.