Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the immediate closure of all schools in Amasiri clan, Afikpo Local Government Area, and imposed a 20-hour daily curfew following a deadly attack linked to assailants from the community in Okporojo village, Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area.

The attack, which sparked widespread outrage, reportedly left four people dead and several houses razed, prompting an emergency meeting of the Ebonyi State Security Council late Saturday night to contain escalating tensions and prevent further violence.

Earlier in the day, Governor Nwifuru visited the affected Okporojo community, commiserated with residents and directed security agencies to track down and prosecute all those responsible for the killings.

Briefing journalists after the security council meeting in Abakaliki, the governor announced sweeping security and administrative measures, describing them as necessary steps to restore peace and assert the authority of the state.

Among the decisions reached was the immediate dethronement of two traditional rulers from the Amasiri clan, with official letters expected to be issued without delay. In addition, all community-based leadership structures within the clan were dissolved, including development union executives, village heads, women and youth leaders, peer groups and other formal or informal organisations.

To ensure effective governance during the crisis, the chairmen of Afikpo, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha local government areas were directed to jointly oversee administration and government activities in Amasiri until further notice.

The security council also ordered the shutdown of all public amenities in the area, including the Amasiri Development Centre and all schools, both public and private. Teachers and tutors have been directed to relocate immediately to schools in other communities.

Governor Nwifuru further disclosed that the state government had prepared an executive bill to be forwarded to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to repeal sections of the law establishing the Amasiri Development Centre, effectively removing it from the list of recognised development centres in the state.

“As from tomorrow morning, there will be no school in Amasiri, and there will be no development centre in Amasiri,” the governor declared.

A daily curfew from 2 p.m. to 10 a.m. has also been imposed on the community, during which all markets, shops, banks, businesses, quarries and other commercial activities must remain closed.

The governor said security agencies have been placed on full alert to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack and recover the remains of the victims, stressing that the government would not condone violence or lawlessness in any part of the state.

“These resolutions take immediate effect,” Nwifuru warned, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives, restoring order and ensuring lasting peace across Ebonyi State.