Traditional institutions in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have thrown their weight behind steps taken by Governor Francis Nwifuru to resolve the long-running land dispute between their community and Oso-Edda in Edda LGA.
The backing follows the governor’s decisive action on Sunday, when he dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan after a violent clash over disputed farmland claimed the lives of three people.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the traditional rulers condemned the killing of four Edda indigenes, the burning of houses, and the destruction of property in Okporojo, the farm settlement at the centre of the dispute.
The statement, titled “Urgent Appeal to His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, Executive Governor of Ebonyi State: Expedite Action on Amasiri-Oso Boundary Delineation”, was signed by eight leaders of Amasiri’s traditional institutions.
They called on the Ebonyi State Government to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the violence and urged the governor to fast-track the delineation of the disputed boundary.
“We humbly plead with our beloved Governor, as a people-orientated and listening leader, to intervene and order immediate implementation of the border delineation,” the statement read.
“This will bring relief to the communities and foster harmonious coexistence.”
The monarchs recalled that the boundary dispute between Ndukwe and Ihie communities in Amasiri and Oso-Edda has, over the years, resulted in deaths, displacement, and widespread destruction.
They described the violence as “barbaric and deeply regrettable”, stressing that the people of Afikpo and Edda share a common ancestry.
“Any action that leads to bloodshed is an abomination and totally out of the question,” they said, while condoling families who lost loved ones and property during the crisis.
The traditional leaders said urgent intervention was needed to restore peace, allow villagers to return safely to their farms, and prevent further bloodshed.
They revealed that the Ebonyi State Government had already initiated steps late last year to resolve the crisis following several peace meetings between both communities.
According to them, the process is anchored on a 2003 gazetted boundary report, which both sides accepted as the permanent solution to the dispute and reaffirmed again in 2023.
However, the leaders lamented the failure to implement the report, warning that continued delays were fueling renewed hostilities.
“We are at a loss as to why the government is dragging its feet on implementing the 2003 report,” they said.
“Both communities depend on this land for farming and survival.”
They added that despite provocations, including killings and destruction of property, the Amasiri community had refrained from reprisals, placing their trust in the government to deliver justice and lasting peace.
