By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA — One person was feared dead and several others injured following a fresh communal clash between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Several buildings, including a microfinance bank in Aguleri, were reportedly set ablaze during the violence.
The latest incident is believed to be linked to a longstanding land dispute between the two communities, which dates back to 1999 and had previously attracted the intervention of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Accounts surrounding the dispute indicate that Amaeze Aguleri had decades ago given a portion of its land to Umuoba Anam on trust. The ownership of the disputed area later became a source of disagreement between the communities.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the death of one person and said it had deployed personnel to the affected communities to restore peace and maintain law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, led the state Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, other government officials, security agencies and community stakeholders on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas.
The visit was aimed at assessing the security situation, safeguarding lives and property and preventing further escalation of the conflict.
The delegation assessed the extent of the reported destruction and the impact of the violence on residents and the affected communities.
The stakeholders also reviewed immediate measures to restore peace and strengthen security, while exploring longer-term steps to prevent a recurrence.
During the assessment, Oji Ama reiterated the commitment of the Police Command to protecting lives and property and ensuring that residents could carry out their legitimate activities without fear.
He urged residents of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam to remain calm and refrain from actions capable of escalating the situation.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing investigations and peace-building efforts.
Speaking during the visit, Deputy Governor Ibezim urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, town unions and other stakeholders to work with the government and security agencies towards finding a lasting solution to the dispute.
He said security was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders.
The Police Command assured residents of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam that security measures were being strengthened in the affected areas to prevent further breaches of peace.
It added that efforts were ongoing to address the underlying issues through dialogue and other lawful channels.
