The Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has appealed the 72-hour ultimatum given by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
The ultimatum asked the community to produce the severed heads of alleged victims and return people said to have been abducted during the recent violence in Edda.
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The community says clearly that it has no knowledge of any killings or abductions. Amasiri people say they did not take part in, support, or approve such acts.
They stress that blaming the entire community is wrong and against the Nigerian Constitution, which says everyone is innocent until proven guilty and forbids collective punishment.
Amasiri also says it is a victim of the violence. Many people from the community have been killed or abducted. Among those abducted is a retired Nigerian Army Warrant Officer, Chukwu Charles, along with his wife, Patricia Chukwu Charles, and another family member. Their whereabouts are still unknown.
Many residents have also been beaten, displaced from their homes, or treated badly during ongoing security operations.
Despite these losses, the community says it is being threatened with punishment for crimes it did not commit. Amasiri warns that this approach is unfair and could lead to more violence and a breakdown of peace.
The community is especially worried about reports of serious human rights abuses by security forces. According to these reports, elderly people are beaten daily. Women are flogged, insulted, and forced to roll on the ground under the hot sun.
Some women are forced to call their sons, who ran away out of fear. Amasiri says these actions are cruel and illegal under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws.
The security situation has also caused serious humanitarian problems. Children in Amasiri cannot go to school or take important exams like the Common Entrance Examination and WAEC.
The community says this violates the children’s right to education and puts their future at risk.
In the past two weeks alone, several Amasiri people have lost their lives. The community asks whether their lives are not equal to others under the law and reminds the Governor that he swore to protect all citizens of Ebonyi State without discrimination.
Amasiri also raises concerns that important facts about its land and economic value, being one of the highest revenue-generating communities in the state, may be influencing events.
Because lives and basic rights are in danger, the community is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the Minister of Defence, and the National Boundaries Commission to step in immediately.
Amasiri wants an independent and transparent investigation into the alleged killings, abductions, and the actions of security forces, so that justice can be served.
The community says it supports peace, the rule of law, and lawful ways of resolving disputes.
However, it strongly rejects threats, intimidation, and punishment of innocent people. Amasiri also calls on the Nigerian government and the international community to act quickly to stop the abuses, protect civilians, and restore peace based on truth and justice.
List of Amasiri Persons Allegedly Killed or Abducted by Edda
The community says it has reported these cases, but no justice has been done. Instead, Amasiri claims it is now being punished.
Incident of 20 January 2025
Six persons abducted and killed:
- Sunday Oko Akwa
- Oko Akpu Egele
- Christian Enya
- Agha Oko
- Itoro Essien
- Monday Abang
- Incident of 2 April 2025
- Two persons abducted in Ozaraokangwu and killed:
Obinna Oko Eze – from Amaukwa Ndukwe
Emmanuel Okpara – from Agbo-ezi Ihie Elu
Other Reported Killings
Mr. Monday Ogbonnia, an electrician from Uhere Ohaechara, was killed on 26 August 2025 while working on his rice farm in Ihubeni. His body was taken away.
Mr. Ndubuisi Agha Ukpai, from Ezi Idam Ali Amaegbu Ezeke, was shot by soldiers sent to Amasiri on Saturday, 3 February 2026. He could not be taken to the hospital because soldiers blocked all exits. He died the next morning, 7 February 2026, due to heavy bleeding.
The abducted retired Warrant Officer is Chukwu Charles, along with his wife Patricia Chukwu Charles. A third person, said to be a woman from Ugwulangwu who went to the farm with them, was reportedly not killed.
Call for Proper Investigation
Amasiri urges security agencies to investigate communities linked to the burnt trucks, as those people may have carried out reprisals against others. The community insists it had no motive or involvement in the violence.