A long-running land dispute in Ebonyi State has once again turned tragic, leaving six people dead — including a pregnant woman — and several homes reduced to rubble in a wave of renewed violence.
The bloody clash erupted between residents of Ndukwe in Amasiri (Afikpo LGA) and Okporojo in Oso (Edda LGA) — two neighboring communities locked in a bitter, decades-old battle over land ownership.
According to locals, the latest confrontation shattered the uneasy calm that had lingered for months, destroying millions of naira worth of property and reigniting fear and anger on both sides. Many residents now avoid the Amasiri road, rerouting through Afikpo town in a bid to stay safe.
Chairman of Edda Local Government, Chima Ekumankama, confirmed the violence and said swift action had been taken to stop it from spiraling further.
“I visited the affected area myself. The destruction is heartbreaking, but I can confirm that peace has been restored for now. Security personnel are fully on the ground,” Ekumankama assured.
He also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for responding quickly and sending in reinforcements to stabilize the area.
Similarly, Afikpo LGA Chairman, Timothy Nwachi, called the violence “deeply unfortunate,” emphasizing that government forces are now stationed in buffer zones between the two communities to prevent further bloodshed.
Nwachi urged residents of Amasiri to remain calm and trust the government’s efforts toward a lasting peace.
But for many families who have lost loved ones or seen their homes destroyed yet again, the pain is all too familiar — a reminder that until the root of the conflict is resolved, peace in this part of Ebonyi remains heartbreakingly fragile.
