The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested the coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers, in connection with the recent killings in Okporojo community, Edda Local Government Area of the state.
Prompt News reports that four persons were killed during the attack on the community, with three of the victims reportedly beheaded and their heads taken away by the assailants, who were said to have come from the Amasiri clan in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, identified the detained monarchs as Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia.
Ukandu said the arrests followed a joint security operation carried out after the incident, adding that the suspects were currently in police custody.
“Yes, after the attack, the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers, and other individuals were arrested during a joint security operation,” he said on Tuesday.
He noted that the operation involved personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
According to him, investigations into the incident are ongoing, stressing that the command would ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
Ukandu also disclosed that 10 suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the killings.
The violence was said to have stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between Okporojo village in the Oso Edda community, Edda LGA, and their neighbours from Amasiri in Afikpo LGA.
The dispute reportedly escalated on January 29 when suspected armed persons invaded Okporojo village, killing four residents and destroying houses and other property.
Following the attack, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, dissolved the political and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan in Afikpo LGA.
The governor announced the dissolution on Sunday during a visit to the affected community, as part of measures to restore peace.
Earlier, a traditional ruler from the area had appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene and ensure the arrest of those responsible for the violence.