Umuoba Anam PG Opens Up On War With Aguleri Community In Anambra
Mr Uchenna Anizor, the President General of Umuoba Anam, Anambra East Local Government Area has expressed regret over the clash that erupted between his community and their age long neighbours, Aguleri during the week.
Anizor who made a declaration for cessation of hostilities on Saturday, said the two days war that resulted in deaths and destruction of property was both regrettable and avoidable.
He said the trouble started when some leaders of Amaeze Aguleri tried to install a Gentry at “Ezi Otu Okpa Agba” (beach road) in Umuoba Anam but he agreed with his counterpart from Aguleri that it should be put on hold pending the resolution of some dispute.
The PG said Representatives of both communities met on four different occasions at different times at the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri without headway.
He said the matter escalated to the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Council who mediated by bringing both parties together on 17 occasions after which Umuoba Anam insisted that there should be more consultations before the gentry could be installed.
“But, Amaeze Aguleri insisted on erecting the signpost, it was their quest to erect the signpost without mutual agreement that led the youths to resort to violence.
“Shops and buildings in between Aguleri and Umuoba area at the waterside/market axis were set ablaze and that was how it degenerated into a war.
“We, the people of Umuoba Anam, want peace, there is no need for acrimony over this land issue,” he said.
Narrating further, Anizor said shortly after the crisis broke out on Thursday, he in company of Anambra East chairman rushed to the disputed area in Umuoba Anam to foster calm and peace but the situation could no longer be controlled.
He said additional peace moves including the visit of the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Police Oct. Friday did not yield fruitful results.
“Barely a few minutes after the Deputy Governor and his entourage left the place, youths from Amaeze Aguleri started shooting sporadically again into Umuoba Anam.
“I was at the scene and they nearly shot me,” he said.
Anizor said Umuoba Anam was always committed to being at peace with their neighbours adding that they preferred peaceful resolution of the matter and harmonious coexistence with those they had lived with for over a century and still counting.
He commended the Federal, state and local government authorities for their continued efforts in ending this crisis and urged them to be fair, just and equitable in resolving the impasse.
