The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of Otuocha Company Market after violence broke out again between the Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities in the Anambra East Local Government Area.
The clashes, which started over a land dispute between the two communities, resulted in five deaths, several injuries, and the burning of properties, including the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri.
Unknown individuals set the palace on fire late on Friday, following an exchange of gunfire in the area.
The renewed violence came just after a team led by the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji, and the Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, visited the communities to assess the situation firsthand.
During that visit, several houses, shops, a rice processing factory holding numerous bags of rice, and other properties were discovered burnt, while traders were said to have fled the area with what remained of their goods.
Residents claimed the crisis was sparked by an attempt by the Aguleri Community to put up a signpost and install closed-circuit television cameras at the boundary between the two communities, a move Umuoba-Anam opposed.
After the renewed violence, Ibezim, who also chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, announced the market’s closure on the orders of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He stated that the market would stay closed until the government finished its assessment of the damage and its investigations into the incident.
“The market will remain shut until further notice to allow the state government to ascertain the level of damage caused by the crisis.
“And no activity will take place there until the state government completes necessary investigations and takes appropriate action against those responsible for the incident.
“No community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the state government. The State Boundary Committee is responsible for the monumentation of boundaries within the state,” he said.
In separate interviews, the traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, respectively, stated that the dispute intensified after the Aguleri people tried to put up a signpost and security cameras in the market area.
According to the monarchs, three people from Aguleri and two from Umuoba-Anam lost their lives in the violence.
They further stated that several people were hospitalized and property was destroyed during the clash.
The traditional rulers praised the state government for stepping in, noting that its intervention helped stop further casualties and destruction.
In the meantime, the Anambra State Police Command criticized the renewed violence and alleged arson in the area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the fresh violence as a violation of the peace agreement reached following the earlier intervention by security and government officials.
Ikenga said, “The Command strongly condemns the resort to violence, destruction of property, and other acts capable of undermining the prevailing peace and security in the affected communities.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to maintaining law and order, while it commends community leaders, government officials, security stakeholders, and residents who have continued to adhere to the agreed peace resolution and refrain from actions capable of escalating the situation.
“The peaceful resolution of disputes remains the most responsible path to sustainable peace and development.
“We urge all parties to exercise restraint and allow ongoing engagements and lawful processes to address their grievances.”
Ikenga cautioned that anybody deemed responsible following an investigation would be prosecuted.
The statement went on to say, “The Command also calls on traditional rulers, town union leaders, youth leaders, women’s groups, and other stakeholders in both communities to continue to work with the police and other security agencies in sustaining calm and preventing further escalation.”
He encouraged residents to stay alert and to pass on reliable information about individuals or groups intending to disturb the peace through the proper security channels.
