Four killed, properties razed in fresh Ebonyi land dispute

At least four people have been confirmed dead in a renewed outbreak of violence between the Ndukwe Community in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area, and Okporojo in Osso Edda Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

The violence, rooted in a decades-long land dispute, also led to the destruction of houses and properties worth millions of naira.

A source from Okporojo claimed that the victims were from their community and alleged that the attackers came from the neighboring Amasiri. However, the identity of the assailants could not be independently verified at the time of this report.

The ongoing security concerns have led many residents of Edda LGA to avoid the Amasiri road, choosing instead to travel through Afikpo town out of fear of further attacks.

Despite past efforts to resolve the issue, including a white paper issued by the previous administration based on recommendations from a government committee, implementation has reportedly stalled, leading to recurring violence.

The Chairman of Edda LGA, Chima Ekumankama, confirmed the killings and assured that security forces had been deployed to restore order. He also visited the area to reassure the public of the government’s commitment to ending the conflict. Ekumankama praised the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, for taking proactive steps by sending security agents to the area.

Timothy Nwachi, Chairman of Afikpo LGA, also confirmed that security operatives had been stationed in the buffer zone between the two communities to help de-escalate tensions. He described the renewed violence as unfortunate and urged the people of Amasiri to remain calm as the government works toward a resolution. Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu, however, stated that he had not yet been briefed about the attack.