General News
AMASIRI COMMUNITY APPEALS 72-HOUR ULTIMATUM, DENIES ALLEGED KILLINGS AND ABDUCTIONS, ALLEGES GRAVE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, CALLS FOR URGENT FEDERAL, INTL INTERVENTION
The Amasiri Community of Afikpo Local Government Area in Ebonyi State has formally appealed the 72-hour ultimatum issued by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru directing the community to produce severed heads of alleged victims and return persons reportedly abducted in connection with recent violence in Edda, while also cataloguing its own long list of dead and missing persons and demanding urgent intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the international community.
Community spokesperson Princess Joy Omagha Idam, in a statement, said the community has no knowledge whatsoever of the alleged killings or abductions and did not participate in, facilitate, or condone any such acts. The statement described any attempt to ascribe collective criminal responsibility to Amasiri as a grave violation of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees the presumption of innocence and expressly prohibits collective punishment.
Contrary to the narrative being advanced against it, Amasiri has itself suffered significant and irreparable losses with several sons and daughters killed or abducted, the statement said. Among those abducted is a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, Chukwu Charles, alongside his wife Patricia Chukwu Charles and his in-law, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Numerous other innocent residents have been displaced, brutalised, or subjected to inhumane treatment in the course of ongoing security operations, the spokesperson added.
Despite these facts, the community is being threatened with severe sanctions and punitive measures for crimes it knows nothing about, an approach Idam described as unjust, disproportionate, and a serious risk to further escalation of violence and breakdown of law and order.
Of grave concern, the statement said, are credible reports of widespread human rights abuses allegedly committed during security operations in Amasiri, with senior citizens reportedly assaulted on a daily basis and women 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 instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The ongoing siege has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, with children of Amasiri unable to attend school or sit for critical national examinations including the Common Entrance Examination and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Idam said 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. The community asked whether Amasiri lives are not entitled to equal protection under the law and whether the Governor of Ebonyi State did not swear an oath to protect all citizens without discrimination. Idam also questioned 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.
The statement provided a detailed list of its own citizens either killed or abducted by Edda people, to which it said it has petitioned and to date no justice has been given, instead the complainant is at the receiving end.
On 20th January 2025, six persons were abducted and killed by Edda: Sunday Oko Akwa, Oko Akpu Egele, Christian Enya, Agha Oko, Itoro Essien, and Monday Abang. On 2nd April 2025, two persons were adopted in Ozaraokangwu and killed: Obinna Oko Eze of Amaukwa Ndukwe and Emmanuel Okpara of Agbo-ezi Ihie elu. In December 2025, an electrician, Mr Monday Ogbonnia from Uhere Ohaechara, was bundled, killed, and his body taken. On 26th August 2025, Mr Ndubuisi Agha Ukpai from Ezi Idam Ali Amaegbu Ezeke was killed in his rice farm at Ihubeni. On Saturday 3rd February 2026, Ndubuisi Agha Ukpai was shot by soldiers sent to Amasiri with no means of taking him to hospital as the soldiers blocked all exits, and he passed away the next morning from excessive bleeding on 7th February 2026.
Regarding the Warrant Officer, Idam confirmed the name as Chukwu Charles, his wife Patricia Chukwu Charles, and a third person described as an Ugwulangwu woman they went to farm with who was not killed.
The security agencies should rather look towards the community where the drivers of burnt trucks come from, who may have retaliated on the Okporojo people, the statement said, adding that the community has no idea as there was no motive.
In light of the clear and present danger to lives, liberty, and fundamental human rights, Idam urgently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the Honourable Minister of Defence, and the National Boundaries Commission to intervene immediately. The community demands 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, Idam said, but unequivocally rejects intimidation, threats, and collective punishment against innocent civilians. She appealed 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.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has publicly referred to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as his “oga” and boss, signaling a further thaw in their previously strained political relationship.
Speaking on Tuesday during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the state, Governor Fubara praised the vision of his predecessor while assuring residents that key infrastructure would be delivered by October.
“From your own observation, not just mine alone, they’ve achieved a lot and in the course of our discussion they are still assuring us that by October this year they will deliver the project,” Fubara said.
He emphasised his personal commitment to completing projects initiated under Wike’s tenure. “So in my assessment what they need is the fund and from my own end is the push. I strongly believe that this promise that we made to our people will deliver in October, God willing.
“For me, this project is very important considering the person who conceived it, my oga, honourable minister. He had a very big vision. He believed that if I achieve this project at record time then the rest of the people will be happy with me. So I also, notwithstanding whatever is happening, it is also my wish and my struggle to ensure that that wish comes to be.”
The governor’s comments come shortly after Wike confirmed that the rift between him and his successor had been resolved. The FCT Minister credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with playing a pivotal role in restoring harmony.
“The president is the father of the nation, and when a father speaks, his children must listen and do the needful to ensure peace and progress,” Wike said.
He added that the resolution was critical for the stability of the state. “The most important thing is for Rivers State to move forward, and we are grateful to Mr President for his tireless commitment to ensuring that we reach this understanding.”
An Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt was on Wednesday diverted to Benin Airport after an unusual noise was detected from one of its engines.
The airline confirmed in a statement issued in Lagos by its Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, that Flight W3 740 was redirected as a precautionary measure after the operating crew heard a loud sound from the aircraft’s left engine while descending toward Port Harcourt.
According to the airline, all 80 passengers onboard the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, disembarked safely and no injuries were recorded.
Arik Air said arrangements had been concluded to transport the affected passengers to their final destinations and apologised for the disruption caused to their travel plans.
“The safety and well-being of our passengers remain our top priority,” the statement added.
Further details about the exact cause of the incident had not been disclosed as of press time.
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will defeat terrorism and banditry, pledging renewed efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The President gave the assurance during his opening remarks at the ongoing National Executive Council conference on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development, where he acknowledged that insecurity has remained a major concern for his government.
“I am leaving here again to further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, that I promise you,” Tinubu said. “It is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resiliency. We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry; it’s not part of our culture, it’s foreign to us.”
He described insecurity as an economic burden, noting that failure to address it would continue to hinder national development.
The President also commended several state governors, particularly those of Borno, Katsina, and Kaduna states, for their roles in supporting efforts to protect citizens and safeguard national stability. He praised their contributions to defending “our freedom, liberty, and our commonwealth.”
On the economy, Tinubu said his administration is working to strengthen macroeconomic stability through improved revenue performance, stronger public financial management, and enhanced fiscal coordination. He added that government has prioritised infrastructure development in transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation as drivers of inclusive growth.
According to him, social investment and human capital programmes have also been expanded to support vulnerable households, youths, women, and small businesses. He cited the Renewed Hope Ward Development Project as an example of the administration’s grassroots-focused approach to national development.
Tinubu further outlined the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030, describing it as evidence-based, realistic, and anchored on inclusive, balanced, and environmentally sustainable growth. He said the plan prioritises economic diversification, productivity, human capital development, subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, and climate resilience.
The President stressed that successful implementation of the plan will depend largely on effective execution at state and local government levels, noting that alignment between national priorities and local realities remains critical.