By joshua 
Ebonyi Govt Disburses Funds, Relief Materials To Okporojo Attack Victims
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State government has disbursed funds and relief materials to support Okporojo victims attacked by Amasiri warriors killing and beheading some persons on 29th January, 2026 in Edda Local Government Area.
The intervention, approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru, targeted 57 victims who were directly affected by the violence attack, which claimed four lives and left several homes destroyed while dozens of residents were displaced.
Speaking while flagging off the distribution at the old Government House, Abakaliki, Governor Francis Nwifuru said the intervention was aimed at cushioning the effects of the devastating communal clash that reportedly claimed four lives and left several residents homeless in Okporojo.
The governor represented at the event
by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije-Odunwa, hinted that the gesture should not be seen as favoritism towards Okporojo people, noting that the administration values every Ebonyi citizen equally.
He charged residents of the affected communities to shun further provocation and embrace peace, assuring that the government is committed to restoring normalcy in the area.
According to him“No amount of bloodshed is worth a piece of land,” he said, while reaffirming government’s resolve to ensure lasting peace between the communities.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe, whose ministry coordinated the disbursement of the funds and relief materials, revealed that the intervention targeted 57 displaced persons affected by the January 29 attack in Okporojo community.
“Today marks the flag-off and distribution of relief materials as well as the disbursement of funds to the 57 displaced persons from Okporojo during the attack that occurred on January 29,” she said.
According to her, Governor Nwifuru approved the sum of ₦70 million through the Ministry of Human Capital Development and Monitoring in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency for the procurement of relief materials for the victims.
She explained that families of the four persons who lost their lives received #2 million each, while those whose houses were burnt received between #1.5 million, #1million and #500,000 depending on the level of damage.
The commissioner added that each affected family also received five bundles of zinc, foams, bags of rice, garri, cartons of nail and wrappers to support their resettlement.
Aligwe urged beneficiaries to use the support to rebuild their homes and livelihoods rather than engage in further conflict.
“The governor is providing these materials to help you rebuild your homes and start a new life. This support should not be used as an opportunity to renew the crisis, as the governor desires peace across the state,”
Responding to questions from journalists, the commissioner clarified that the relief items were funded entirely by the Ebonyi State Government, noting that the state was yet to receive support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The executive secretary of EBSEMA Chief Clement Ovuoba thanked Governor Nwifuru for approving fund and relief materials to the affected Community, describing the interventions it as very timely while assuring Okporojo people of State Government continue support to ensure they rebuild and go back to their houses.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Prince Chima Ekumankama, commended the state government for responding decisively to the plight of the Okporojo people.
He noted that residents of the community have long maintained a reputation for peaceful coexistence and pledged their continued cooperation with government directives aimed at sustaining peace.
“Our people believe in peace and respect for constituted authority. We are grateful that the government has listened to our cries and intervened at this critical moment,” he said.
Ekumankama also appealed for an end to recurring attacks, expressing hope that the crisis would mark the last episode of violence in the area.
Earlier, the member representing Edda East State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Stephen Orji Igwe, called on the government to urgently demarcate the boundary between Okporojo and Amasiri communities to prevent future clashes.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for skill development and job creation Hon. Okwu Oko Udu commended Governor Nwifuru for his swift intervention, noting that the relief materials would help the affected families to rebuild their lives and heal from the trauma of the crisis.
Beneficiaries including bereaved wife of Ekuma Anthony and Eze Orji Ndukwe, thanked the state governor for his benevolence attitude towards the affected people and assured him of the sustenance of peace in the area.
Items distributed to the victims included cash assistance, foams, bundles of zinc, bags of rice, and pieces of wrapper, cartons of nail and among others.