Ebonyi Lifts Amasiri Curfew Three Months After Deadly Community Killings

Peace has finally returned to the troubled Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area as Akahi News can confirm that the Ebonyi State Government has lifted the curfew imposed on the area. The decision comes exactly three months after the gruesome killing of four indigenes of Okporojo Village in Idima Community, Edda Local Government Area.

Akahi News learnt that the announcement was made on Monday, May 4, by the Director of the Department of State Services in Ebonyi State, Mrs E.Y. Kolawole. The briefing followed a security council meeting held at the Governor’s Office in Abakaliki, the state capital.

“The restriction has been completely lifted,” Kolawole declared. But she was quick to add a caveat that will interest residents: security personnel will remain in the affected area to maintain peace and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Suspects Still at Large – Security Presence to Continue

Why keep soldiers and police around after lifting a curfew? Akahi News gathered that some suspects connected to the original attack are still at large. Security agencies, according to Kolawole, will soon declare them wanted. The presence of operatives is deemed necessary to sustain the relative calm already restored in the troubled community.

It is a delicate balancing act. Lift the curfew too soon, and violence could erupt again. Keep it too long, and residents feel like prisoners in their own home. The government appears to be walking a tightrope, hoping that visible security will deter fresh bloodshed.

Letters of Remorse and Reconciliation Paved the Way

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ben Odoh, revealed that the government’s decision followed several letters of remorse written by the people of Amasiri Community. These letters were not dismissed. They were accepted by the people of Okporojo Village as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Odoh explained that the letters were transmitted through the traditional leadership of Amasiri, with firm assurances that the community was committed to peace, healing, and reconciliation. The government, he said, took these peace moves into serious consideration before lifting the curfew.

Akahi News believes this is a model worth studying. When communities choose remorse over revenge, and when governments choose dialogue over prolonged punishment, the chances of lasting peace multiply. But will the healing hold? That depends on whether justice is also served.

Bill to Delist Amasiri Development Centre Rejected

In a related development, Odoh disclosed that appeals from founding fathers and the council of elders influenced the government’s decision to reject a proposed bill seeking to delist Amasiri Development Centre from the 64 development centres in Ebonyi State. This was no small matter.

The government reasoned that reconciliation and restoration of peace should be prioritised over actions that could deepen tension in the area. It is a philosophical stance that prioritises unity over punitive measures. But some may ask: does this send the wrong signal? Does it reward violence with political retention?

Only time will tell. But for now, Ebonyi State is choosing the path of peace.

Schools and Hospitals to Reopen Immediately

Normal activities are set to resume in Amasiri. The State Head of Service, Mrs Rita Mary Okoro, said her office would supervise the lifting of restrictions on schools and healthcare facilities in the area. A circular will be issued to the Ministries of Education and Health, as well as the Local Government Service Commission, directing affected workers to return to their duty posts.

Staff earlier redeployed from Amasiri Development Centre will also be returned. This is good news for children who have missed classes, for patients who have lacked access to government healthcare, and for civil servants who have been working far from their homes.

Akahi News notes that the restoration of administrative and social services is often the truest test of whether peace has truly returned. Towns can exist under curfew. But they only live again when schools open, hospitals treat patients, and markets buzz with trade.

Separate Murder Cases: Traditional Rulers’ Killings Under Investigation

The security council also addressed other dark clouds hanging over Ebonyi. The Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, represented by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, Mr Tarzan Tsav, gave updates on separate murder investigations involving traditional rulers.

Tsav announced that investigations into the killing of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Eze Francis Igwe, had been concluded. Suspects linked to that killing will soon be charged in court. Justice, it seems, is coming.

However, investigations into the killing of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community are still ongoing. Tsav assured residents that those found responsible will be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.

One cannot help but ask: in a state where traditional rulers – symbols of peace and custom – are being killed, what hope for the common man? The government must not only solve these murders but also prevent the next one. The crown has become a dangerous seat in some parts of Nigeria. That is a tragedy that demands urgent attention.

What Does This Mean for Ebonyi Residents?

For the people of Amasiri, the lifting of the curfew means they can once again move freely at night. It means businesses can operate longer hours. It means the psychological trauma of living under restriction may begin to heal.

But Akahi News reminds its readers that true peace is not merely the absence of curfew. It is the presence of justice, the安居 of mind, and the assurance that killers will not walk free. Ebonyi State has taken a bold step towards reconciliation. Now it must follow through with accountability.

The four victims of the Okporojo Village killings cannot be brought back. But their families can be given justice. And the community can be given the one thing that prevents future violence: the rule of law.

📌 Key Summary Box – What You Must Know

• ✔ Ebonyi State Government has completely lifted the curfew imposed on Amasiri community in Afikpo LGA, three months after four persons were killed in Okporojo Village.
• ✔ Security personnel will remain in the area to maintain peace, as some suspects linked to the attack are still at large and will soon be declared wanted.
• ✔ The decision followed letters of remorse from Amasiri community, which were accepted by the victims’ community as part of reconciliation efforts.
• ✔ The government rejected a bill seeking to delist Amasiri Development Centre from the state’s 64 development centres, prioritising peace over punitive action.
• ✔ Schools, hospitals, and administrative services will resume normal operations in Amasiri immediately.
• ✔ Investigations into the killing of traditional ruler Eze Francis Igwe have been concluded, with suspects to be charged soon. Probe into another monarch’s killing continues.
• ✔ For Ebonyi residents: The lifting of curfew brings relief, but lasting peace depends on justice for victims and sustained security presence.