Francis Nwifuru, on Tuesday, relaxed the curfew imposed on Amasiri community in Ebonyi State, adjusting the restriction to run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from the previous 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., following reported progress in addressing the boundary dispute that claimed several lives, with others still missing.

The governor, however, directed that schools in the affected community remain closed pending further security assessment.

Governor Nwifuru also reiterated his earlier directive mandating the Amasiri community to produce four human heads and those allegedly abducted during the crisis, warning that more stringent measures would be imposed if the directive is not complied with.

It will be recalled that during the last State Security Council meeting, the governor had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the community to produce the heads and the abducted persons.
Briefing journalists after the latest security meeting, Nwifuru said the adjustment of the curfew reflected “measurable progress” recorded by security agencies deployed to the area.

Despite the easing of movement restrictions, he maintained that schools would remain shut, stressing the administration’s “zero-compromise stance” on the safety of students and education workers.
“While there are clear social and economic benefits to reopening schools, the prevailing security realities demand caution,” the governor said, adding that the decision would be reviewed after a fresh assessment at the next Security Council meeting.

Nwifuru explained that the curfew was imposed not as a show of force, but as a preventive measure to forestall a further breakdown of law and order, noting that intelligence reports indicated the crisis could have escalated into a wider communal conflict involving neighbouring communities.

On investigations, the governor disclosed that the council had directed law enforcement agencies to fast-track the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the killings. While reaffirming the constitutional presumption of innocence, he revealed that investigators had made significant breakthroughs, including the discovery of a shallow grave and the recording of confessional statements.

He added that security agencies are intensifying efforts to apprehend other suspects believed to be at large.
Beyond the curfew and school closure, the council approved what it described as urgent and extraordinary measures to restore normalcy to Amasiri and the surrounding communities. Although operational details were not disclosed for security reasons, Nwifuru assured residents that government actions are intelligence-driven and aimed at preventing further loss of life.

The governor also warned against the spread of unverified information and inflammatory comments on social media, cautioning that such actions could undermine security operations and escalate tensions.