By Chinedum Treasure
The President-General of Umuoba Anam Town Union, Chief Hon. Uchenna Anizor, has appealed for peace and restraint following two days of violence involving Umuoba Anam and Amaeze Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Anizor made the appeal on Saturday, October 3, while reaffirming Umuoba Anam’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with Aguleri and other neighbouring communities.
“We want peace. There is no need for acrimony over this land issue,” he said.
According to Anizor, the dispute followed an attempt by leaders of Amaeze Aguleri to install a signpost at Ezi Otu Okpa Agba, popularly known as the Beach Road area.
He said the President-General of Aguleri contacted him after he was informed of the planned installation, and both sides agreed that it should be suspended pending dialogue.
Anizor said several meetings were subsequently held at the palace of Igwe Idigo, while the Mayor of Anambra East, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, later intervened to mediate the dispute.
He said more than 17 meetings were held under the supervision of the mayor, but the disagreement persisted.
According to him, the situation became tense when Amaeze Aguleri allegedly insisted on proceeding with the installation of the signpost.
“In a nutshell, it was the insistence on erecting the signpost that led to the violence,” Anizor alleged.
He claimed that the ensuing confrontation led to the burning of shops and buildings around the waterside and market axis before escalating into wider violence.
The Umuoba Anam leader also recalled the October 2 visit of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who, alongside the mayor, appealed to both communities to end the violence and embrace peace.
Anizor alleged that gunshots were heard again shortly after the deputy governor and his entourage left the area.
Despite the clashes, he said Umuoba Anam remained committed to peaceful coexistence with Aguleri, noting that the communities had maintained cordial relations for more than a century.
“We will prefer a peaceful settlement of the matter and coexistence with them because we have lived peacefully for over a century and will continue to do so for many more years,” he said.
Anizor called on the Federal and Anambra State governments to sustain their intervention and work towards a fair and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He also commended government authorities for their efforts to restore peace, urging both communities to exercise restraint and allow dialogue to prevail.
Tags: Anambra East, Umuoba Anam, Aguleri, Land Dispute, Peace
