Maduako Igbokwe l Sunday, January 17, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Five persons have been allegedly killed,buildings and vehicles worth millions of Naira have been burnt in the renewed Umueri – Aguleri communal clash in Anambra East Local Government Area.
As part of efforts to stem further break down of law and order, governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has imposed three days curfew in the affected communities.
Community sources told our reporter that the renewed communal war erupted on Saturday. We gathered that peace meetings between the neighboring communities collapsed when the current war broke out. However, the police in Anambra State said that there was no lost life, claiming they were able to avert crisis between the two communities.
The command spokeman CSP Haruna Mohammed in a statement on Saturday said that on on 16/1/2021 at about 7:15am there was a report of crisis between Umueri and Aguleri Communities both in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State over a disputed area of land which both communities were laying claim of ownership.
According to him, following distress call, the Command quickly dispatched joint Police teams comprising PMF/RRS and other Conventional Units in collaboration with other Security agencies led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations DCP Salman Dogo to the scene.
He said the situation has been brought under control, while joint patrol is still ongoing to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
“Meanwhile, no loss of lives and injuries have been reported. However, One building, four vehicles and two motorcycles were set ablaze by the warring factions. Consequently, the Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang has directed the State CID Awka to carry out discreet investigation in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring perpetrators to book.
“The CP also warned both parties to maintain peace and explore all the legal avenues to resolve their grievances without resorting to violence”, he said. He further assured both parties that he would contact the State Government to intervene in the matter in order to find lasting solution to the lingering problem”
However, Obiano has imposed curfew on Aguleri, Umueri and Umuoba Anam towns, in Anambra East local government area of Anambra State, following the deadly communal on Saturday.
In a statement issued by the government, the three days curfew is to stem the further outbreak of communal violence reported in the three towns.
Governor Obiano said the curfew will last from 7pm to 7am daily, beginning on Saturday, 16th January, 2021. The curfew which is for the first instance and is expected last for three days. According to the statement any violators of the curfew would be prosecuted.