One killed, many injured in Anambra communal clash

One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured following a fresh communal land dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the clash, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, left some residents with gunshot and machete injuries, while a microfinance bank in Aguleri was also reportedly set ablaze during the violence.

Some residents in the communities blamed the incident on a longstanding land dispute between the two communities since 1999 and had previously attracted the intervention of the then Federal Government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“The dispute centres on land said to have been given to Umuoba Anam community by Amaeze-Aguleri on trust several decades ago. But recently, disagreements later emerged over claims to the true ownership of the land.

“There was a bloody clash in the communities this morning. One person was shot dead and several others received bullet wounds when some hoodlums opened fire over a fresh communal land.

“The clash caused tension in the area as many buildings were destroyed. One microfinance house was set ablaze. It took the intervention of security personnel before calm was later restored.”

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said one person had died and that several people had sustained injuries of varying severity.

Ikenga said police officers had been deployed to the area to maintain peace and order.

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According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, led the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, alongside other top government officials, security agencies and critical stakeholders to the area for an on-the-spot assessment of the crisis-affected areas of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities.

Ikenga said, “The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the situation, safeguard lives and property, and maintain law and order in the affected areas.

“The delegation also confirmed the fatal injury sustained by a victim, assessed the extent of property destruction, and reviewed the impact of the crisis on residents and the affected communities.

“The visit further enabled the stakeholders to identify immediate and sustainable measures aimed at restoring and sustaining peace, strengthening security, and preventing further escalation of the situation.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police reiterated the commitment of the Anambra State Command to maintaining law and order, protecting the lives and property of citizens, and ensuring that residents are able to go about their legitimate activities without fear.

The state police spokesman added, “The CP further called on the people of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam to remain calm, refrain from actions capable of escalating the situation, and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing security operations and peace-building efforts.

“In a similar vein, the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, town unions and other stakeholders to work collaboratively with the government and security agencies towards achieving lasting peace in the area.”