Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has condemned the renewed crisis between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area, expressing concern over the deaths, injuries and destruction of property reported in the area.
Soludo, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, on Monday in Awka, directed both communities to immediately cease hostilities, maintain peace and exercise restraint.
The governor also summoned an emergency peace and security meeting involving key stakeholders from the two communities for Wednesday in Awka, as part of efforts to address the underlying causes of the protracted dispute.
He directed the parties to channel all grievances, claims and presentations through their designated stakeholders at the meeting.
“All grievances, claims, and presentations must be channelled exclusively through their designated stakeholders at the upcoming Awka meeting,” the statement said.
Soludo further said security agencies, including the police, had been fully deployed to the affected communities to enforce law and order, protect lives and prevent further escalation.
The crisis has seen the leadership of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities trade accusations over the circumstances that led to the latest confrontation.
The President-General of Umuoba Anam, Mr Uchenna Anizor, and his Aguleri counterpart, Mr Chike Nwabia, however, expressed concern over the consequences of the violence and called for peace.
Anizor, in a statement made available to journalists in Awka, announced a cessation of hostilities, describing the crisis as regrettable and avoidable.
He alleged that the dispute began when some leaders of Amaeze Aguleri attempted to install a signpost at Ezi Otu Okpa Agba, popularly referred to as the beach road, despite objections from Umuoba Anam pending the resolution of an existing dispute.
According to him, representatives of the two communities had met on four occasions at the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri but failed to reach an agreement.
He further claimed that the parties appeared before the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area on 17 occasions, after which Umuoba Anam requested further consultations before the installation.
Anizor alleged that the decision by Amaeze Aguleri to proceed with the installation despite the disagreement contributed to the escalation.
He said several interventions, including a visit by the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Oct. Friday, failed to immediately resolve the situation.
Anizor alleged that violence resumed shortly after the officials left the area.
He reaffirmed Umuoba Anam’s commitment to peace and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute and harmonious coexistence between the two communities, which he said had lived together for more than a century.
However, Nwabia, the President-General of Aguleri, gave a different account of the events.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, he attributed the escalation to what he described as Umuoba Anam’s refusal to honour terms of settlement reached through the intervention of the local government authorities.
Nwabia confirmed that the dispute was linked to land and boundary issues, saying the matter had been taken before the local government council for mediation.
According to him, both communities agreed that the local government council should install security cameras and signposts in the disputed area.
He alleged that when officials arrived to carry out the agreed measures, some Umuoba Anam residents resisted and seized the items, prompting members of Aguleri to visit the area to seek clarification.
Nwabia claimed that the Aguleri delegation was unarmed but was attacked with stones before members of a community vigilance group helped them leave the scene.
He also alleged that the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Idigo, was attacked and razed during the crisis.
Nwabia said Aguleri had suffered significant losses, including an incident in which a member of the community was allegedly attacked and nearly killed.
He said the intervention of security agencies and the state government had helped prevent further escalation.
Both community leaders have nevertheless expressed support for peace, while Governor Soludo’s scheduled meeting is expected to provide an avenue for stakeholders to address the underlying land and boundary issues and seek a lasting resolution.
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