Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has brokered a peace agreement between the Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities following renewed hostilities that left five people dead and resulted in the destruction of property.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka on Wednesday, Mr Soludo ordered an immediate ceasefire and directed security agencies to maintain a continuous presence in the affected communities to prevent further violence.
“The loss of lives and destruction of property are unacceptable to this administration. We will not allow lawlessness to continue. Government will remain fair, firm and committed to ensuring justice and lasting peace,” Mr Soludo said.
The governor also condemned the destruction of the traditional palace, saying the attack represented an affront to the state’s cultural heritage and traditional institutions. He announced that the state government would assist in rebuilding the palace and restoring its traditional status.
Mr Soludo further disclosed that the state government had constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate petitions, complaints and longstanding grievances connected to the dispute. According to him, the commission is expected to submit its findings within four months.
Igwe Michael Idigo of Aguleri Kingdom denounced the violence and expressed concern over the killing of a minor and an unarmed member of the Umuoba Anam community, as well as the destruction of the Idigo Palace.
A community leader, Fidel Okafor, urged all parties to immediately halt the fighting and called for the prosecution of individuals found responsible for the attacks.
Retired Justice Charles Okaa, who attended the meeting as an observer representing Umueri, appealed to the communities to exercise restraint. He also urged the state government to implement the 1982 Supreme Court judgment concerning the boundary dispute between Umueri and Aguleri.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the stakeholders reached an agreement for an immediate cessation of hostilities and called for the prosecution of those responsible for the violence. They also endorsed accountability among community leaders and the reconstruction of the damaged Idigo Palace.
The affected communities subsequently pledged to pursue peace, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence as efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute continue.
The development came days after the Anambra State Government ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market on Friday following a communal dispute involving Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities that reportedly claimed five lives.
