The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Company Market following renewed violence between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The clash, linked to a land dispute between the two communities, left five people dead, injured several others and resulted in the destruction of properties, including the palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri.

The palace was reportedly set ablaze by unknown persons late on Friday following an exchange of gunfire in the area.

The fresh violence occurred shortly after a delegation led by the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji, and Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim visited the communities to assess the situation.

During the visit, several houses, shops and a rice-processing factory containing numerous bags of rice were found burnt, while traders reportedly fled the area with their remaining goods.

Residents alleged that the latest crisis was triggered by an attempt by Aguleri community to erect a signpost and install closed-circuit television cameras at the boundary between the two communities, an action reportedly opposed by Umuoba-Anam.

Ibezim, who is also Chairman of the Anambra State Boundary Committee, announced the closure of the market on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

He said the market would remain closed until the government completed its assessment of the damage and investigations into the incident.

Ibezim also said no community leader or local government chairman had the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the state government, noting that the State Boundary Committee was responsible for boundary demarcation.

The traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, respectively, said the dispute escalated after the attempt to install the signpost and security cameras.

The monarchs said Aguleri lost three people while Umuoba-Anam lost two in the violence, adding that several others were hospitalised and properties destroyed.

They commended the state government for intervening, saying the intervention helped prevent further casualties and destruction.

The Anambra State Police Command condemned the renewed violence and alleged arson, describing the incident as a breach of the peace agreement previously reached following intervention by security and government officials.

The command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said anyone found culpable after investigation would face prosecution.

He urged traditional rulers, town union leaders, youth leaders, women’s groups and other stakeholders in both communities to work with security agencies to maintain calm and prevent further escalation.