Soludo sets up commission to end deadly intercommunal clash

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has set up a judicial commission of inquiry to tackle the deadly intercommunal clash between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Soludo set up the commission on Tuesday during a stakeholders meeting at the Government House in Awka, according to a statement on Wednesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Christian Aburime.

Mr Aburime said the commission was tasked with “thoroughly” examining all petitions, complaints, and historical grievances between the two warring communities.

“The commission was mandated to submit its comprehensive report within four months,” he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that at least five people have been killed, several houses razed and livelihoods destroyed in the violence that engulfed the communities.

The Anambra State Government earlier ordered the immediate closure of the Otuocha Market following the crisis.

Directive to security operatives

At the Tuesday meeting, Mr Soludo decried the tragic loss of lives and the widespread destruction of properties, emphasising that such lawlessness was entirely unacceptable to his administration.

The governor then directed security agencies to maintain a robust, round-the-clock presence in the affected zones to ensure compliance to his earlier ceasefire order in the communities.

He reassured all parties that his administration remains firm, fair, and uncompromising in its pursuit of lasting peace and justice across the state.

Community leaders speak

In attendance at the meeting were traditional rulers from the Anambra South and Central senatorial districts of the state.

The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Chidubem Iweka, was among the traditional rulers in attendance.

The traditional rulers, in their separate contributions, condemned the hostilities, specifically highlighting the tragic killings of a minor and an unarmed person from Umuoba Anam.

They also lamented “the retaliatory destruction” of the Idigo Palace, the historic royal residence of Michael Idigo, the traditional ruler of the Aguleri Community.

Speaking as an observer on behalf of the Umueri Community, Charles Okaa, appealed for restraint.

Mr Okaa, a retired justice, urged the state government to enforce the 1982 Supreme Court judgement concerning boundary matters between Umueri and Aguleri as a step toward permanent resolution.

Prosecution of perpetrators

After the deliberations, the stakeholders reached “a multi-point” resolution to foster reconciliation and security.

They also stressed the need for immediate ceasefire and prosecution of perpetrators.

Mr Soludo condemned the attack on the traditional stool, describing it as “an assault on the heritage” of the state.

The governor then announced that the state government would “actively assist” in rebuilding the destroyed palace to restore “traditional dignity.”

Long history

The Aguleri–Umuoba Anam dispute dates back decades.

It is primarily a land and boundary dispute, with competing claims over ownership of land around the Anambra River and areas adjoining the two communities.

The Anambra State Government had described the matter as a boundary dispute and, in 2025, referred it to the State Boundary Committee for resolution.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the dispute resurfaces usually after years of state government intervention.

In March 2015 for instance, a clash between the two communities left at least one person dead and several houses destroyed.

After the state government’s intervention, the clash ceased but resurfaced 10 years later in 2025.

Within the time, traditional rulers of the two communities presented different accounts of the origin of the disagreement with all laying claims to the ownership of the disputed land.

The fresh violence in the two communities has also been attributed to the long-standing land dispute.