The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Company Market following renewed violence between the Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The clash, linked to a longstanding land dispute, reportedly claimed five lives and left several others injured, while homes, shops, a rice processing factory and the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri were reportedly set ablaze.
The latest violence occurred on Friday night, shortly after a delegation led by the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji, and Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim visited the affected communities to assess the situation.
The palace of the Aguleri monarch was reportedly burnt by unidentified persons following an exchange of gunfire.
During the assessment, the officials reportedly observed extensive damage to properties in the area, while traders were said to have fled the market with whatever goods they could salvage.
The crisis was reportedly reignited after an attempt by members of the Aguleri community to erect a signpost and install Closed-Circuit Television cameras around the boundary area was opposed by members of Umuoba-Anam.
Following the incident, Ibezim, who chairs the state Boundary Committee, announced the closure of the market on the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He said the market would remain closed while the government assessed the extent of the destruction and investigated the circumstances surrounding the violence.
“The market will remain shut until further notice to allow the state government to ascertain the level of damage caused by the crisis.
“No activity will take place there until the state government completes necessary investigations and takes appropriate action against those responsible for the incident.”
The deputy governor also warned community leaders against taking unilateral decisions on boundary matters.
“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.
The traditional rulers of the two communities, Igwe Michael Idigo of Aguleri and Igwe George Ekwealor of Umuoba-Anam, said the dispute escalated following the attempt to install the signpost and security cameras.
According to the monarchs, three people were killed from Aguleri, while Umuoba-Anam recorded two deaths. Several others were reportedly injured and hospitalised.
The monarchs commended the state government for intervening, saying the intervention helped prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has condemned the renewed violence and destruction in the communities.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident was a violation of the peace agreement previously reached after interventions by government and security officials.
“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,” Ikenga said.
He urged residents and community leaders to remain calm and allow the ongoing processes to resolve the dispute.
Ikenga added that anyone found responsible for the violence after investigations would be prosecuted.
He also called on traditional rulers, town union leaders, youth leaders, women’s groups and other stakeholders to work with security agencies to prevent further escalation.
The police spokesman urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information on individuals or groups planning to disrupt the peace through appropriate security channels.
