Governor Soludo orders both communities to stop fighting and calls a peace meeting for October 7. Peter Obi appeals for dialogue.
The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market after a violent dispute between the Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area left five people dead.
Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim issued the directive during an inspection visit, saying he acted on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s instruction. All commercial and other activity at the market is to stay halted until investigations conclude and action is taken against those found responsible.
Several houses, shops and a rice processing factory were razed. Many residents have fled, and traders were seen leaving with whatever goods they could salvage. A viral video reportedly captured voices ordering men to shoot on sight.
What sparked the violence
The traditional rulers, Igwe Michael Idigo of Aguleri and Igwe George Ekwealor of Umuoba-Anam, blamed the violence on an attempt by people from Aguleri to erect a signpost and install security cameras in the market area. Umuoba-Anam resisted. Accounts of the dispute say Amaeze Aguleri gave part of its land to Umuoba-Anam on trust decades ago.
Police and government response
Police first confirmed one death, and the toll later rose to five. Commissioner of Police Nnanna Ama led security chiefs and state officials to both communities on Friday. He urged residents to stay calm and to give security agencies credible, timely information.
Mr Ibezim, who chairs the State Boundary Committee, said no community leader or local government chairman may set boundaries between communities without the state government’s knowledge.
Governor Soludo has ordered both communities to cease all hostilities and exercise restraint. He convened an emergency peace and security meeting with stakeholders for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Light House, Awka. Grievances and claims are to be channelled through designated stakeholders at that meeting.
Calls for peace
Peter Obi, the former Anambra governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, appealed to both communities on Sunday.
Let us choose dialogue over violence, reconciliation over revenge, and peace over destruction.Peter Obi, statement signed “-PO”
Chinedu Obidigwe, the APGA candidate for the area in the 2027 general election, has begun dialogue with leaders of both communities. He said the dispute is between one village in Anam and one in Aguleri and must not become a conflict between the two entire communities.
Background
The two communities share Otuocha, the Anambra East capital. Land ownership has driven the wider Aguleri-Umuleri conflict for generations. Umuoba-Anam sheltered displaced people during the 1995 dispute and was a party to the 1999 crisis. The most recent earlier flare-up, in January 2021, led then-Governor Willie Obiano to impose a three-day curfew.
This story is developing. Casualty figures and official responses may change as more information is confirmed.
Leave a Reply