Four More Die in Anambra Communal Clash, as Govt Shuts Otuocha Market

Four more people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, bringing the death toll to five.

The violence has also led to the destruction of houses, shops and rice-processing facilities, while several residents have fled the affected communities.

Following the escalation, the Anambra State Government ordered the immediate suspension of economic and other activities at Otuocha Market.

The Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, issued the directive during an assessment visit to the troubled area alongside the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama.

Ibezim, who is also Chairman of the Anambra State Boundary Committee, said the market would remain closed until the government completes its investigation and takes appropriate action against those responsible for the violence.

He warned that no community leader or local government chairman had the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the involvement of the state government.

According to him, the State Boundary Committee is responsible for determining and marking boundaries within the state.

The immediate cause of the latest crisis was linked to an alleged attempt by Aguleri community to erect a signpost and install closed-circuit television cameras around a disputed boundary area.

The move was reportedly opposed by members of Umuoba Anam, leading to an escalation that resulted in violence.

Several houses and shops were reportedly destroyed during the clash. A rice mill and hundreds of bags of rice were also affected, while traders were seen trying to recover their belongings from the area.

The Otuocha-Umuoba Anam road, normally busy with commercial activity, was reportedly deserted following the violence as residents and traders moved away from the affected area.

The traditional rulers of both communities, Igwe Michael Idigo of Aguleri and Igwe George Ekwealor of Umuoba Anam, have appealed to their people to remain calm and allow the state government to address the dispute.

The state government said the closure of the market was necessary to prevent further escalation while security agencies and the Boundary Committee work to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over the longstanding boundary dispute between the neighbouring communities.