Four more die in Anambra communal clash, as govt shuts Otuocha Market

Four more people have been confirmed dead, bringing the number to five, following a violent clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East local government area of Anambra State.

The state Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who visited the troubled area in company of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Nanna Oji Ama, directed the immediate suspension of economic and other activities in the market following the escalation of hostilities in the area.

Several houses and shops were destroyed and in a viral video, voices were heard ordering armed men to shoot at sight. Many residents of the area have fled and the ever busy Otuocha-Umuoba Anam road has been deserted. 

Rice mills and hundreds of bags of rice were destroyed and smoke was seen coming out of many residential houses, while traders were seen salvaging some of their property.

The cause

The cause of the clash was said to be the alleged decision of Aguleri Community to mount a signpost and a Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras on the boundary between the two communities, which Umuoba Anam Community resisted.

Ibezim, who is the Chairman of Anambra State Boundary Committee, ordered that there should be no activity in the market until the state government completes necessary investigations and takes appropriate action against those responsible for the incident.

He warned that no community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the state government, stressing that the State Boundary Committee is responsible for determining boundaries within the state.

The traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Mike Indigo and his Umuoba Anam counterpart, Igwe George Ekwealor, have, however, been appealing to their subjects to maintain peace and allow the government to handle the matter.