Governor Francis Nwifuru announced the decisions after an emergency meeting of the Ebonyi State Security Council held late last night in Abakaliki.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the governor declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew across the entire Amasiri clan in Afikpo Local Government Area. The curfew restricts movement from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. daily until further notice.
He ordered the immediate closure of all markets, shops, businesses, banks and quarry sites operating within Amasiri for the duration of the curfew, describing the measures as necessary to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Nwifuru also announced the closure of all public and private schools in Amasiri, directing that teachers and tutors be redeployed to schools in other communities pending the restoration of peace.
In a major traditional and administrative shake-up, the governor approved the dethronement of two traditional rulers in Amasiri, acting on the recommendations of the State Security Council. He said official letters confirming their removal would be issued immediately.
He further ordered the dissolution of all development union executives, village heads, women and youth leaders, and other community-based organizations operating in Amasiri, with immediate effect.
To ensure direct government control of the area, the governor directed the chairmen of Afikpo, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha Local Government Areas to take over governance and administrative responsibilities in Amasiri.
According to him, the Security Council also mandated security agencies to track down and arrest all individuals involved in the Okporojo killings and to recover, at all costs, the severed heads of the victims.
In a far-reaching political decision, Nwifuru disclosed that the council recommended the repeal of the law establishing the Amasiri Development Centre.
He said an executive bill has already been prepared and would be transmitted to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to remove Amasiri from the list of officially recognized development centres.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to restore peace and stability across the state, warning that the government would not tolerate violence, lawlessness or threats to public safety in any part of Ebonyi State.
“Our duty is to protect lives and property. Those who think they can destabilize communities through violence will face the full weight of the law,” Nwifuru said.
