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.

The Bayelsa State Executive Council held a special valedictory session on Friday in honour of former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Ken Kayama, at Government House in Yenagoa. Kayama died on June 24, 2025, at the age of 61, having served in the state cabinet from 2001 to 2003 during the administration of the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

In his tribute, Governor Douye Diri said the deceased was a supporter, friend, and worthy ally. Governor Diri stated that Kayama rose above partisanship and was optimistic about the state’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda, a rare quality that distinguished him. “Your husband, father, brother, and relation was a worthy son of Bayelsa, a committed public servant, and a man who left a legacy of service,” Governor Diri said in a statement.

Speaking for the 2001/2003 cabinet, former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Francis Igodo, described Kayama as a compassionate friend. Igodo noted that Kayama introduced a friendly football match between the executive council and the House of Assembly and was among the cabinet’s four youngest commissioners.

The Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, said Kayama’s life celebrated a pioneer whose legacy echoes in sports, politics, and community life. Dr. Igali noted the deceased was fondly called “001” as the state’s first Youth and Sports Commissioner, laying a foundation for others including Governor Diri. “The state lost a great family man, mentor, and bridge builder,” Igali said in a statement.

The session was attended by former deputy governor Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, former Secretary to the State Government Amb. Felix Oboro, former Attorney General Talford Ongolo, and family members of the late Ken Kayama.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and other prominent Nigerians on Friday paid their last respects to the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was laid to rest in Ofoni Federated Communities, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

President Tinubu was represented at the funeral service held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Also in attendance were Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

In a message delivered on his behalf, President Tinubu described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a huge loss to Bayelsa State and Nigeria, noting that the late deputy governor lived a life of service and left a lasting legacy.

Former President Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo as a good man whose death was painful, saying it was rare for a politician of his stature to be so widely spoken of with admiration.

Governor Diri said the passing of his deputy was a harsh reality but one that must be accepted as the will of God, adding that Ewhrudjakpo was a careful and selfless public servant.

In a sermon, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, urged Christians not to mourn without hope and called on politicians to emulate the late deputy governor’s humility, generosity and integrity.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo died on December 11, 2025, after collapsing in his office at the Government House, Yenagoa.