Ebonyi State: 11 Persons Killed in Communal Clash Between Amasiri, Oso Communities

From Omakah OKOH, Abakaliki 

The age long communal clashes between Amasiri and Oso communities in Afikpo North and Edda local government areas in Ebonyi state have continued to gather momentum as eleven persons have been allegedly killed in the last few days.

The brotherly communities have been engaged in fratricidal war over a parcel of land, leading to loss of several lives and property worth millions of Naira.

THE BEAGLE NEWS investigations revealed that Amasiri and Oso communal clash has defied all solutions even as government has set up a fact-finding committee.

The recent hostilities broke, which broke out on June 13, have claimed about eleven Amasiri lives while a few have been kidnapped and ransom being demanded for the release.

Eye witness told THE BEAGLE NEWS that on fateful day, June 13, 2025 the Akpoha people attacked and shot one Henry Okechukwu in the presence of his wife and on June 15, three other persons Emmanuel Ndukwe Oko, Madubugwu Nwachi and Ogbonnia Ugwu, who were on their way to Abaomege, were abducted by same Akpoha people and rumour has it that have been killed by their abductors.

Again on June 18, a retired military personnel, Uwa Konko along with his wife and Uche Nwachi were also abducted by Oso people. As at the time of filing this report, their whereabouts are not known.

Another person, identified as Uche from Ikowo, but residing at Amasiri and carrying out his business, was given some machete cuts, warning him to leave Amasiri or risk been killed.

Eyewitness account further said on Thursday, June 20, 2025 about 7:00am, some boys coming home for a burial were ambushed by same Oso youths and almost killed them but not for the intervention of good Samaritans who alerted the traditional ruler of Amasiri.

According to the witness, the traditional ruler in turn put a call across to his counterpart in Edda and they quickly intervened, saving the lives of the two persons ambushed. 

On June 20, 2025, three young men on motorbikes going to their farms, were accosted by Oso people and whisked away. Till date, they have not returned.

On June 21, Akpoha people tracked one Ogbonnia Okombe and gave him some machete cuts and he is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital and, the police has been officially informed.

Plot to invade Amasiri with Fake Military men

In spite of the tact that Amasiri people have refused to avenge, there are strong indications that the Oso-Edda people, who they claim are strangers in their land, have concluded plans to invade Amasiri community with military men, who they will dress up with military uniforms and armed with with pump action guns and other sophisticated weapons.

Amasiri Community points Accusing fingers at Akpoha, ibii and Oso bigwigs

As the internecine war goes on, the Amasiri community is accusing the Edda local government chairman, Sir Ochiri Ozuo, Soni Ogbuu Orji the present APC chairman in the state, the former speaker of Ebonyi state house of assembly, Omo Isu and others of being behind the plot to wipe out Amasiri 

An Amasiri indigene, simply known as Emmanuel Egwu, said they are moves to wipe out Amasiri, also causing government of neglect and playing the ostrich when their house is on fire. 

According to him, "we have it on intelligence that Oso, Akpoha and Ibii people are recruiting mercenaries to launch a fusillade against Amasiri as they are allegedly piling up along our border communities.

He wondered why they should be made to pay the supreme piece leasing out our land to their forefathers of which they know it's truth Oduko should tell their people in Edda how they settled in that place, 

He recalled how the Akpoha, I ii and Oso Edda people used to bring palm wine to Amasiri people during faming season for a portion of land for cultivation now they have forgotten all this,

He called on government to act quickly before the communal clash degenerate into genocide against Amasiri community.