From Emma Elekwa, Awka
No fewer than five persons have been killed following violent clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
This was even as Governor Chukwuma Soludo has intervened decisively to restore law and order following recent reports of communal clash.
The renewed hostilities have also led to the destruction of houses, shops and rice mills, forcing many residents to flee their homes as the busy Otuocha-Umuoba Anam road became deserted.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who visited the affected communities alongside the Commissioner of Police, CP Nanna Oji Ama, ordered the immediate suspension of activities at Otuocha Market.
Ibezim, who chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, gave the directive following the escalation of violence in the area.
Several buildings and shops were reportedly destroyed during the clash, while a video circulating online showed voices allegedly directing armed men to shoot at sight.
Smoke was reportedly seen billowing from some residential buildings, while traders were seen removing goods and other belongings from affected areas.
Rice mills were also reportedly attacked, with hundreds of bags of rice said to have been destroyed during the violence.
The crisis was reportedly triggered by a disagreement over an alleged move by the Aguleri community to erect a signpost and install closed-circuit television cameras along the boundary between the two communities.
The Umuoba Anam community reportedly opposed the move, leading to heightened tension and subsequent violence.
Following his assessment of the situation, Ibezim ordered that all activities at the market remain suspended pending the completion of investigations by the state government.
He said the government would take appropriate action against anyone found responsible for the violence.
The deputy governor warned community leaders and local government chairmen against taking unilateral decisions on boundaries between communities.
According to him, no community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine or alter boundaries without the involvement of the state government.
He stressed that the Anambra State Boundary Committee was responsible for handling boundary matters within the state.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers of the two communities, Igwe Mike Indigo of Aguleri and Igwe George Ekwealor of Umuoba Anam, have appealed to their subjects to remain calm and avoid further violence.
The monarchs urged residents to allow the state government to investigate the dispute and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
As a result of the crisis, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has intervened decisively to restore law and order following recent reports of communal clash between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, which tragically resulted in loss of life and injuries.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime expresses deep sadness over the casualty and injuries sustained during the clash, reiterating that violence, bloodletting, and destruction of property have no place in a peaceful and prosperous Anambra.
To address the root causes of this long-standing dispute and achieve a lasting resolution, the governor has convened an emergency peace and security meeting with key stakeholders from the affected communities to hold on Wednesday, October 5, 2026 at the Light House.
In the interim, the Governor has issued a stern directive ordering both communities to immediately cease all forms of hostilities, maintain absolute peace, and exercise restraint.
According to him, all grievances, claims, and presentations must be channelled exclusively through their designated stakeholders at the upcoming Awka meeting.
Furthermore, security agencies, including the Police have been fully deployed to the area to enforce law and order, safeguard lives, and prevent any further breach of the peace.
Soludo reassured all citizens of the State of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives, property, and the peaceful resolution of communal disputes across the state.