Soludo orders end to hostilities in deadly inter-communal clash

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has ordered immediate cessation of hostilities in the deadly land dispute between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Soludo’s order followed deadly violence in the warring communities, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Christian Aburime, on Saturday.

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.

Deep sadness

In the statement, Mr Soludo expressed “deep sadness” over the killings and injuries sustained during the clash.

The governor reiterated that violence, bloodletting, and destruction of property have no place in the state.

“To address the root causes of this long-standing dispute and achieve a lasting resolution, Governor Soludo has convened an emergency peace and security meeting with key stakeholders from the affected communities to hold on Wednesday, 7 October, 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,” the statement read.

The statement added that all grievances, claims, and presentations must be channeled through the designated stakeholders at the scheduled meeting at the Government House in Awka.

“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,” it said.

According to the statement, Mr Soludo reassured Anambra residents that his administration was committed to protecting lives, property, and the peaceful resolution of communal disputes across the state.

Long history

The Aguleri–Umuoba Anam dispute dates back to 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.

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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.