The Nigeria Police Force has arrested the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, alongside two traditional rulers, over the brutal killing of four persons in Ebonyi State.
The arrests followed a joint security operation involving the Army, the Directorate of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, after a deadly attack in Edda Local Government Area.
Confirming the development on Monday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said the suspects were taken into custody in connection with the violent incident that has shocked the state.
According to the police, the two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia, are both from the Amasiri community in Afikpo, and are currently being detained for questioning.
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Ukandu disclosed that 10 other suspects had earlier been arrested as investigations into the killings intensified.
The attack, which occurred on January 29, 2026, is linked to a longstanding land dispute between Okporojor village in Oso Edda community and their Amasiri neighbours in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Police sources said suspected warlords from the Amasiri axis stormed Okporojor village, where four residents were beheaded, several houses were set ablaze and valuable property destroyed.
“Yes, following the Thursday attack, the coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, two traditional rulers and other individuals were arrested during a joint operation by security agencies in the state,” Ukandu said.
“All those arrested are in our custody, and investigations into the killings are still ongoing. The command, working with other security agencies, will not relent until all those involved are brought to justice.”
The police said security has been reinforced in the affected communities to prevent further violence as investigations continue.
NAN
