The Amasiri Community of Afikpo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, hereby formally appeal the 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, directing the community to produce the severed heads of alleged victims and return persons reportedly abducted in connection with the recent violence in Edda.
We state categorically, that Amasiri has no knowledge whatsoever of the alleged killings or abductions. The community neither participated in, facilitated, nor condoned any such acts. Any attempt to ascribe collective criminal responsibility to Amasiri constitutes a grave violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees the presumption of innocence and expressly prohibits collective punishment.
Contrary to the narrative being advanced, Amasiri has itself suffered significant and irreparable losses. Several sons and daughters of the community have been killed or abducted. Among those abducted is a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, alongside his wife and his in-law, whose whereabouts remain unknown to date. Numerous other innocent residents have been displaced, brutalised, or subjected to inhumane treatment in the course of ongoing security operations.
Despite these facts, the community is being threatened with severe sanctions and punitive measures for crimes it knows nothing about. This approach is not only unjust and disproportionate but poses a serious risk of further escalation of violence and breakdown of law and order.
Of grave concern are credible reports of widespread human rights abuses allegedly committed during security operations in Amasiri. Senior citizens are reportedly assaulted on a daily basis. Women are allegedly flogged, humiliated, and forced to roll on the ground under the scorching sun, while being coerced to summon their sons who fled in fear for their lives. These acts, amount to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, prohibited under Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution and relevant international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Furthermore, the ongoing siege has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences. Children of Amasiri are unable to attend school or sit for critical national examinations, including the Common Entrance Examination and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC). This constitutes a violation of the right to education and threatens the future of an entire generation of innocent children.
Within the last two weeks alone, Amasiri has lost numerous lives.
We are compelled to ask: Are Amasiri lives not entitled to equal protection under the law? Did the Governor of Ebonyi State not swear an oath to protect all citizens of the state without discrimination? We also question whether there are material facts concerning Amasiri land and interests that have not been disclosed to the public, particularly given that Amasiri is widely recognised as one of the highest revenue-generating communities in Ebonyi State.
In light of the clear and present danger to lives, liberty, and fundamental human rights, we urgently call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the Honourable Minister of Defence, and the National Boundaries Commission to intervene immediately. We demand an impartial, transparent, and independent investigation into the allegations of killings, abductions, and the conduct of security forces in Amasiri, with a view to ensuring accountability and justice.
Amasiri remains committed to peace, the rule of law, and lawful resolution of disputes. However, we unequivocally reject intimidation, threats, and collective punishment against innocent civilians. We appeal to the conscience of the Nigerian state and the international community to act swiftly to halt ongoing abuses, protect vulnerable populations, and restore peace founded on truth, justice, and respect for human rights.
Find below list of those either killed or abducted by Edda people to which we have petitioned and to date no justice has been given to Amasiri instead the Complainant is at the receiving end.
Names of the six persons abducted and killed by Edda on 20th January 2025.
- Sunday Oko Akwa.
- Oko Akpu Egele.
- Christian Enya.
- Agha Oko.
- Itoro Essien.
- Monday Abang.
Second incident took place on the 2nd April, 2025.
Two persons adopted in Ozaraokangwu and killed.
- Obinna Oko Eze.– Amaukwa Ndukwe.
- Emmanuel Okpara. —Agbo-ezi Ihie elu.
BUNDLED AN ELECTRICIAN KILLED AND TOOK HIS BODY THIS DECEMBER, 2025.
Mr Monday Ogbonnia
From Uhere Ohaechara who was killed on 26/08/2025
In his rice farm at Ihubeni.
Mr Ndubuisi Agha Ukpai from Ezi Idam Ali Amaegbu Ezeke who was shot by the soldiers sent to Amasiri on saturday 3/2/26 there was no means of taking him to the hospital as the soldiers blocked everywhere, exit and he could not survive it and pass away the next morning from excessive bleeding. 7/2/26.
The (Warrant) Officer’s name is Chukwu Charles, the wife, Patricia Chukwu Charles.
The 3rd person, I was told was Ugwulangwu woman they went to farm with, and was not killed.
The Security Agencies should rather look towards the community where the drivers of trucks burnt come from. They may have retaliated on the Okporojo people. We have no idea as there was no motive.
Princess Joy Omagha Idam
Spokesperson
For Amasiri Communities