Amasiri Seeks Justice, Compensation and Lasting Peace as Ebonyi Government Moves to Resolve Century-Old Land Dispute

By  Chioma Vivian James 

Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has received the interim report of the Amasiri-Edda Boundary Adjustment and Demarcation Committee, in a significant step towards resolving the longstanding communal dispute between Amasiri Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area and Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area.

The Governor, in a related development, announced the reinstatement of the traditional rulers of Ndukwe and Amasiri, who had been dethroned following the escalation of the crisis.

The development marks a major turning point in efforts to restore peace and stability to the affected communities, following years of tension over land, boundaries and other issues.

The committee, headed by the State Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobasi, was constituted by Governor Nwifuru following the attack at Okporojo on February 6.

Receiving the interim report at his office in Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru described peace as a priceless possession and declared that communal violence and social unrest would not be allowed to undermine his administration’s development agenda.

“In our administration, we are committed to making peace in all the communities in this state,” the Governor said, expressing appreciation to the committee for its work.

Nwifuru acknowledged the complexity of the assignment, noting that the dispute had reportedly persisted for more than a century.

He commended members of the committee for what he described as a difficult assignment and expressed confidence in the credibility of their work.

The Governor also rejected allegations that the government’s intervention was designed to victimise or favour any particular community.

According to him, the government’s overriding objective is to restore peace and create an environment conducive to development.

“This matter has been a very big dent on this government and we have to make a decision,” he said, adding that government had no interest in witch-hunting any community.

‘Peace Is Not Weakness’

The Governor stressed that government’s willingness to review decisions and make necessary adjustments in pursuit of peace should not be interpreted as weakness.

“We have been able to make amendments and this does not imply weakness,” Nwifuru said.

He appealed to the communities to support the peace process, insisting that development could not thrive where insecurity and communal conflict persisted.

“Where there is no peace, there is no development. We are willing to make peace,” he stated.

While accepting the interim report, the Governor directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending completion of the boundary demarcation exercise.

“We hereby accept the report and insist the status quo should be maintained as the demarcation exercise is being carried out. None should interfere and trespass on each other’s land,” he directed.

Committee Defends Its Findings

Earlier, Prof. Nwobasi explained that the committee had conducted extensive consultations and physical inspections of the disputed areas.

He said members met with residents, surveyed the affected locations, produced sketches and examined the issues surrounding the boundary dispute before arriving at their interim findings.

“We have surveyed the areas. We went to the areas in question, made sketches and reached decisions. This is why we deemed it necessary to present this interim report to Your Excellency,” Nwobasi said.

He described the conflict as a “hydra-headed and intractable” communal dispute and commended Governor Nwifuru for his intervention.

Amasiri’s Appeal: From Peace to Justice

While welcoming the Governor’s decision to reinstate the traditional rulers, voices from Amasiri have urged the state government to go beyond administrative measures and address what they describe as the deeper questions of land ownership, security, displacement and compensation.

Amasiri stakeholders maintain that the disputed land belongs to the Amasiri people and contend that, over the years, people from neighbouring Edda communities settled in the area in search of livelihood.

They further argue that Amasiri has historically maintained peaceful relations with its neighbours and are calling for an impartial investigation into allegations surrounding violence, road blockades, searches of vehicles and attacks on residents.

These claims remain matters requiring independent investigation and verification by the appropriate authorities.

Community stakeholders are also calling for the government to investigate reports of alleged loss of lives and property during the crisis, identify those responsible for any verified offences and ensure that victims receive appropriate redress.

Compensation for Victims

For many affected families, the restoration of peace must go hand in hand with justice and rehabilitation.

Stakeholders have appealed to the state government to assess properties reportedly destroyed or lost during the crisis and consider appropriate compensation for verified victims.

They have similarly called for support and psychosocial assistance for families who lost loved ones, arguing that sustainable peace requires attention not only to territory and boundaries but also to the human cost of conflict.

Amasiri’s Economic Contribution

Beyond the immediate crisis, Amasiri stakeholders are also asking the Ebonyi State Government to pay greater attention to the community’s contribution to the state economy.

They argue that Amasiri, which they describe as one of the major contributors to the state’s internally generated revenue, deserves corresponding investment in education, infrastructure and human capital development.

Among their demands is consideration of scholarship opportunities for qualified children of the community, alongside improved development projects and a more equitable framework for addressing the community’s economic and social needs.

Call for Release and Rehabilitation of Detained Youths

Another major appeal is the call for the release of youths from Amasiri who remain in detention in connection with the crisis, subject to due process and the findings of the relevant authorities.

Stakeholders are urging the government to review their cases expeditiously and ensure that anyone not found culpable is released without unnecessary delay.

They are also seeking rehabilitation and reintegration support for affected youths, as well as appropriate compensation where unlawful detention or other verified violations are established.

A New Opportunity for Lasting Peace

The Amasiri-Edda crisis now presents the Ebonyi State Government with an opportunity to transform a longstanding dispute into a model for peaceful conflict resolution.

The immediate priority is to ensure that the boundary demarcation process is transparent, professionally conducted and acceptable to all parties.

Equally important is the need to maintain security, prevent further attacks, discourage unauthorised roadblocks or interference with movement, and ensure that residents can return to their homes and livelihoods without fear.

For Amasiri, the reinstatement of its traditional ruler is a welcome development. But community stakeholders insist that the ultimate measure of success will be whether the process delivers justice, restores confidence, protects lives and property, and guarantees a durable peace.

As Governor Nwifuru has emphasised, development cannot flourish without peace. The challenge now is to ensure that the peace process is not merely an end to hostilities, but the beginning of a new relationship built on justice, mutual respect, clearly established boundaries and the protection of every citizen.