Five Killed as Aguleri, Umuoba Anam Clash Escalates, Otuocha Market Shut

Five people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, with authorities ordering the immediate closure of Otuocha Market.

The latest casualty figure represents a sharp increase from the one death initially confirmed by the Anambra State Police Command after the violence erupted. Reports from the state government and news agencies now put the death toll at five, with three fatalities recorded in Aguleri and two in Umuoba Anam.

Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, issued the market closure directive during an assessment visit to the affected communities. He was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Nnanna Oji Ama and other government and security officials.

Ibezim directed that all economic and other activities at Otuocha Market remain suspended until the state government concludes its investigations and takes appropriate action against those found responsible for the violence.

He stressed that neither community leaders nor local government chairmen have the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the involvement of the state government. According to him, the State Boundary Committee is responsible for the demarcation and monumentation of boundaries within Anambra.

The immediate trigger for the latest confrontation was reportedly an attempt by people from Aguleri to erect a signpost and install closed-circuit television cameras around a disputed area. The move was resisted by members of Umuoba Anam, with the disagreement subsequently escalating into violence.

Several houses and shops were reportedly destroyed during the violence, while a rice-processing facility and bags of rice were also affected. Traders were seen fleeing the area with whatever property they could salvage as tensions spread through the communities.

The dispute is rooted in a longstanding boundary and land disagreement between the neighbouring communities. Anambra State authorities had previously intervened in the dispute, with the State Boundary Committee urging both sides to present their claims and evidence for resolution.

The police have condemned the renewed violence and said security measures have been strengthened in the affected areas. The Command also said it had begun efforts to identify and arrest people suspected of violating an earlier peace agreement or participating in reported arson and other criminal acts.

The traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, have appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the government to resolve the dispute. The state government is expected to continue investigations and security operations aimed at preventing further loss of lives and restoring normalcy