The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested the coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers, in connection with the killing of four people in Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrests on Monday, identifying the traditional rulers as Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia.
Ukandu said the arrests followed a coordinated security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to him, 10 other suspects had earlier been taken into custody, bringing the total number of arrests linked to the incident to 13.
“Yes, following the attack, the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers and other individuals were arrested during a joint security operation,” Ukandu said.
“All suspects are currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing. The command will not relent until everyone involved is brought to justice.”
The killings are believed to be connected to a long-standing land dispute between residents of Okporojor village in Oso Edda community, Edda LGA, and their neighbours from Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area.
The dispute reportedly escalated on January 29 when suspected armed persons attacked Okporojor village, resulting in the deaths of four residents and the destruction of houses and other property.
In response to the violence, Governor Francis Nwifuru dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan in Afikpo LGA.
The governor announced the dissolution on Sunday during a visit to the affected Okporojor village, vowing that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
Earlier, a traditional leader in the community had appealed for urgent government intervention, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the deadly attack.
