The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has clarified that the ongoing security operation in Amasiri, Ebonyi State, is a joint effort with other agencies to protect lives and restore peace, following the recent killing of residents in the Amasiri–Edda community.
In a statement, the Army addressed videos circulating on social media that labelled the troop deployment as an invasion, describing such narratives as misleading and not reflective of the operation’s true purpose.
Troops were deployed in response to the gruesome killings and beheadings of four individuals in Okporojo village, Edda Local Government Area, and the subsequent discovery of shallow graves containing mutilated bodies in Amasiri. The atrocities prompted urgent intervention to safeguard civilians and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
In line with its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, the Ebonyi State Government imposed a curfew and temporarily closed schools in Amasiri to prevent escalation and ensure public safety. Security agencies were tasked with enforcing the curfew, protecting medical teams, securing ongoing investigations, and managing humanitarian concerns arising from the crisis.
The joint teams, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Department of State Security, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, are conducting intelligence-driven patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and forensic exhumations across affected areas. Investigations have identified multiple burial sites containing victims, including children, highlighting the scale of the crimes and the need for a sustained security presence.
The Army stressed that the operation targets criminal elements exploiting communal tensions, not the residents of Amasiri. It is intelligence-led, professional, and conducted in partnership with local leadership to ensure transparency and accountability.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army and partner agencies to protect all citizens without bias. He assured that the operation would continue until peace is fully restored and justice is delivered.
The public has been urged to disregard misinformation and support ongoing efforts to secure Afikpo North and surrounding communities.
