Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, January 19, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra – Traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Micheal Idigo and traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka have disagreed on the casualties and damaged property in the communal clash between the two communities last Saturday.
The two monarchs who spoke to our reporter shortly after the Deputy of Governor of Anambra State Dr. Nkem Okeke inaugurated a peace committee at the government House Awka on Tuesday to look into the impasse did not agree on casualties.
Speaking to our reporter Igwe Idigo said that there may be one or two persons killed, but that does not translate to a lot of people being killed as reported by the media.
” I know about houses being burnt and destroyed. I cannot talk about a lot of deaths. Yes, one or two persons may have died, that would not be called a lot of deaths. Some of the reports in the media are over exaggerated by the media. I don’t know why, but the truth is that few houses and property were touched but we were able to calm down the situation” he said.
He urged everybody in the two communities to give peace a chance. He also expressed confidence that the committee would find a lasting solution to the lingering impasse between Aguleri and Umueri.
“We are going to do Justice , especially when the two traditional rulers are involved, myself and Igwe of Umueri. It is going to be a win-win affair.
Remember the chairman of the committee had asked the leaders of the two communities to be gracious in their submissions. We are hopeful that at the end of the day agreement would be reached and functional boundary would be found for the communities. I am hopeful that crisis between Aguleri and Umueri will be finally put to rest by the committee” he said.
In his reaction, Igwe Emeka said neither anybody nor houses were destroyed in the clash. He accused the media of not crosschecking their reports before going to press.
” No House was burnt down and no single soul was killed. You press should always reconcile your information before publishing them .If any person says somebody was killed, he should produce the person and the name of the family” he said.
He also expressed hope that the committee would provide a lasting solution to the Aguleri and Umueri communal clash. He said a committee setup by the governor was a powerful one and that it will do the Job without fear or favour.
” As for me, as the Igwe of Umueri and Igwe of Aguleri in the committee, we will make sure there is peace in the area . We are peace loving people and other traditional rulers in Anambra are joining to ensure that peace is restored in the communities” he stated.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee retired Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi assured that the committee would do everything to restore peace to the neigbouring communities of Aguleri and Umueri. He also called on the leaderships of the communities to talk to their people to give peace s chance.
