By Ngwuoke Ngwuoke
Isioru Amasiri, an organ in charge of internal security in Amasiri community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has dismissed as false allegations that warriors from the community killed and beheaded an Edda person in a renewed confrontation between Ndukwe community in Amasiri and Osso in Edda Local Government Area.
The two communities have been at each other’s throat over the ownership of Okporojo, a section of Oso/ Idima
While Ndukwe maintains that the area was leased years ago to Edda hunters, who subsequently established seasonal residence and paid yearly land rent, Edda is claiming that the land now belongs to them. This has led to confrontations between the two communities resulting is losses of lives and property.
A headless body was found after the latest encounter, with Edda accusing Amasiri of killing and beheading an Edda man.
But in a swift reaction, Amasiri through Isioru described the allegation as false and baseless.
In a statement, Mr Chinweike Okocha Ezeh and Hon Etu Richard Obiahu, Chairman and
Secretary respectively called on the Police to conduct a full scale investigation into the matter.
Below is the statement:
“REBUTTAL OF BASELESS AND INCENDIARY ALLEGATIONS OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEATH OF ONE MR DICK NNACHI ALLEGED TO BE AN OSO EDDA INDEGENE
“The attention of the peace-loving people of Amasiri has been drawn to a series of grievous, unsubstantiated, and malicious allegations circulating from Edda communities. These allegations claim that Amasiri people were responsible for the killing and beheading of one Dick Nnachi from Okporojo, Oso Edda.
“This document serves as a formal and categorical rebuttal of these accusations. We strongly condemn this act of violence and the loss of any life. However, we must vehemently deny any involvement by our community and state that these allegations are entirely false, fabricated, and designed to incite further violence and unjustly target our people.
“The Amasiri community unequivocally denies any hand, direct or indirect, in the said unfortunate incident. We state firmly that no individual or group from Amasiri was involved in the killing of the aforementioned individual. We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and extend our sympathies to the family of the deceased if truly they lost their brother, irrespective of the baseless accusations leveled against us.
“Analysis of the Allegations, A Pattern of Deflection: The current allegation follows a familiar and troubling pattern employed by Edda communities whenever there is a crisis.
“Lack of Evidence : The allegations are presented without a shred of verifiable evidence. There are no eyewitness accounts, video evidence, or credible intelligence linking any Amasiri indigene to the crime. The accusation is based purely on speculation and historical prejudice.
“Pre-emptive Strategy to Divert Attention: We question the timing and motive behind these public allegations. Often, such claims are made to deflect attention from internal conflicts, vendettas, or criminal activities within the accuser’s own community and to conveniently blame their neighbours.
“Dangerous Incitement: These unverified claims are highly incendiary. They are designed to whip up public sentiments, justify planned reprisal attacks against innocent Amasiri citizens, and potentially manipulate security agencies into targeting our communities unjustly.
“Context of a Long-Standing Land Dispute: It is public knowledge that there exists a long-standing land dispute between the Ndukwe Community Amasiri and the Okporojo Idima (Oso Edda) settlers. The Amasiri communities have consistently chosen the path of law and dialogue.
“Commitment to Peace : Our community leaders have attended numerous peace meetings convened by Ebonyi State government officials and security agencies. We remain committed to a peaceful and legal resolution of the land matter.
“History of False Flags: There is a documented history of the Oso Edda community staging attacks or exploiting unrelated criminal incidents to falsely implicate Amasiri people, thereby gaining unwarranted sympathy and provoking military aggression against our communities.
“The Amasiri Communities are law abiding and Peace-Loving people they are known for their hospitality. A large number of Edda people reside in Amasiri doing their normal businesses without any form of molestation because Amasiri are known for their peaceful disposition and commitment to the rule of law. We are farmers, businessmen, and professionals who are focused on our livelihoods and the development of our communities. We have no tradition of violence or beheadings. We reject any attempt to label our community with such heinous acts.
“We are the ones who have often cried out for protection from militant elements operating from the Oso Edda axis, who have waylaid, attacked, and kidnapped our our people. Recently, they kidnapped a retired Soldier alongside his wife and one other woman in their company for months now they were not released upon government order. They have been victimizing our people traveling by that road. Our people no longer go to farm for fear of being kidnapped. Months ago, we petitioned the Inspector General of Police on these attacks and killings of our people.
“Demands and Recommendations: In light of the above, the Amasiri communities demand the following:
“1. Immediate Retraction : We demand that the Edda communities and their spokespersons immediately retract these baseless allegations and cease and desist from spreading this dangerous falsehood.
“2. A Thorough and Impartial Investigation: We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to launch a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into this murder to identify the actual perpetrators and their motives, whoever they may be. The Amasiri community pledges its full cooperation with any such investigation.
- Protection from Victimization : We urge the security agencies to be professional and avoid the collective punishment of Amasiri people based on unverified claims. We have been victims of such biased operations in the past.
“4. Heightened Security Presence : We request an increased and neutral security presence in the buffer zones between the communities to prevent any group from launching attacks under the guise of these false allegations.
“Conclusion: The Amasiri people are innocent of these accusations.This report serves as our official stance and a plea for justice and fairness. We will not be used as scapegoats for crimes we did not commit. We trust that the security agencies will perform their duty diligently and avoid being drawn into a narrative that risks exacerbating tension and victimizing innocent civilians. We call on the Police to act on the March 2025 petition we made to the Inspector General of Police.
We remain committed to peace, but we will also vigorously defend our name and our people from defamation and unwarranted aggression.”
