Nwifuru, police set to arraign in court killers of traditional rulers in Ebonyi 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, together with the commissioner of police and other security chiefs have vowed to arraign in court the killers of the  traditional rulers, especially the late father of the former deputy governor of the state, Francis igwe.

Ebonyi State government and the police among other security heads, made this known while briefing journalists shortly after a security meeting held at the Conference room, Office of the Governor, Centenary City Abakaliki.

The state government said it has declared a 100% lifting of the curfew imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community in Afikpo Local Government Area of the State.

Recall that the curfew was imposed on Amasiri, following the attack and beheading of 4 Indigenes of Okporojo village in Idima community, Edda local Government Area of the State.

In their separate reactions, the Director State Security Service, DSS, E.Y Kolawole said that the curfew has been lifted completely but maintained that security agents would still be deployed to the community to sustained the peace in the area.

Kolawole stated that those who were involved in the crime that are yet to be arrested by security agents will soon be declared wanted.

“We resolved that minimum security will still be deployed in the area to sustain the peace in the area. 

“Also the names of those that were involved in the crime that are yet to be apprehended are going to be declared wanted.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Ben Odoh said that the decision to lift the curfew followed several letters of remorseful written by the people of Amasirii Community and it’s acceptance by the people of Okporojo village. 

He noted that the various letters were written by the various traditional hierarchy of Amasirii Community and the assurance given to the State Government and Amasiri community of their remorsefulness.

Odoh maintained that there were persuasion from the foundering fathers and the elders council to reject the bill delisting Amasiri Development Center from the 64 development centers in the State. 

He said that consequently, the State Government has rejected the bill and has written a memo to the State House of Assembly rejecting the bill in th interest of justice.

“Amasiri Development Center has been restored and consequently we now have 64 development centers in the State.

Also, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Rita Mary Okoro said that her office will oversee the lifting of restrictions on school and hospitals.

She noted that her office will soon send a circular to the Ministry of Education, Health and the Local Government Service Commission to ensure that all staff that were initially redeployed from Amasiri Development Center will be reassigned to the relevant offices.

Responding, the State a commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor represented by the Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Operations, Tarzan Tsav said that investigation on the killing of the traditional ruler, Late Francis Igwe, has been concluded and the suspects would be charged to court soon.

On the killing of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community, CP Okafor said that investigation into the killing is still ongoing adding that once the investigation is concluded, the suspects will also be charged to court.