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Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Media360Impact
Princess Joy Omaga Idam, spokesperson for the Amasiri community and former Assistant Secretary of the UJFCT Council, has raised fresh concerns over the Ebonyi State Government’s response to the recent killings linked to tensions between Amasiri and neighbouring communities.
Speaking in a follow-up address after an earlier press conference,Princess Idam alleged that Governor Francis Nwifuru convened a meeting with representatives from Amasiri, Oporojo, local government officials from Edda and Afikpo, alongside security chiefs, but did not allow Amasiri delegates to speak during the session.
According to her, ten representatives from Amasiri attended the meeting but were “not given the opportunity to speak,” while the governor allegedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the community to produce “four heads and four abducted persons” in connection with the killings.
Dispute Over Responsibility
Princess Idam disputed allegations linking Amasiri residents to the reported beheadings and abductions, maintaining that the community had no involvement in the violence.
She claimed that on the days the killings occurred, Amasiri was in mourning, conducting multiple burials across the community.
She further alleged that prior incidents including the reported killing of two truck drivers in another community may have triggered retaliatory violence unrelated to Amasiri.
“These are matters with records and evidence,” she said, questioning why, in her view, attention had not been directed at other communities she believes should be investigated.
Allegations of Collective Punishment
The Amasiri spokesperson also alleged that military personnel deployed to the area have intimidated youths and that students from the community were being prevented from registering for key examinations, including Common Entrance and WAEC.
She described the situation as “collective punishment for offences the community did not commit,” and urged the state government to review its approach.
Questions Over Motive
Princess Idam further questioned whether the crisis could be linked to Amasiri’s economic profile, describing the community as one of the highest revenue-generating areas in Ebonyi State due to its natural resources.
She asked whether underlying interests may be influencing the handling of the crisis, though she did not provide documentary evidence to support this claim.
Call for Fair Hearing
Throughout her address, Omaga-Idam called for what she described as a fair hearing for Amasiri, insisting that the community deserves the opportunity to present its account of events before conclusions are drawn.
She urged the governor to uphold his oath to protect all citizens of the state and appealed for an impartial investigation into the killings.
Awaiting Official Response
As of the time of this report, the Ebonyi State Government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations raised by Omaga-Idam. Efforts to reach state officials for comment were ongoing.
Security authorities have also not released an official statement detailing the findings of any investigation into the killings or clarifying the basis of the ultimatum reportedly issued to Amasiri.
Why This Matters
The situation highlights the fragile nature of inter-community relations in parts of Ebonyi State and underscores the need for transparent investigation, open dialogue, and careful handling of security responses to avoid escalating tensions.
Media360Impact will continue to follow developments and provide updates as more official information becomes available.
