By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Government has lifted the curfew imposed on Amasiri Autonomous Community in Afikpo Local Government Area, three months after the killing of four indigenes of Okporojo Village in Idima Community, Edda Local Government Area.

The Director of the State Security Service (DSS) in the state, Mrs. E.Y. Kolawole, announced the development while briefing journalists shortly after a security council meeting held at the Governor’s Office in Abakaliki on Monday.

She said the curfew had been completely lifted but noted that security personnel would remain in the area to sustain peace and tranquility in the troubled community.

Kolawole added that other suspects that are still at large in connection with the attack would soon be declared wanted.

The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Ben Odoh, said the decision followed several letters of remorse written by the people of Amasiri Community and accepted by the people of Okporojo Village.

According to him, the letters were transmitted through Amasiri’s traditional leadership, with assurances of commitment to peace and reconciliation.

Odoh further disclosed that appeals from founding fathers and the council of elders also influenced the government’s decision to reject a proposed bill seeking to delist Amasiri Development Centre from the state’s 64 development centres.

On the restoration of normalcy, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Rita Mary Okoro, said her office would supervise the lifting of restrictions on schools and healthcare facilities in the area.

She added that a circular would be issued to the Ministries of Education and Health, as well as the Local Government Service Commission, directing the return of staff earlier redeployed from Amasiri Development Centre.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Tarzan Tsav, said investigations into the killing of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Eze Francis Igwe, have been concluded, with suspects to be charged to court soon.

He added that investigations into the killing of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community are ongoing, assuring that those responsible would be prosecuted upon conclusion of the inquiry.