Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area to immediately cease all hostilities and maintain peace following a deadly communal clash linked to a long-running boundary dispute.
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The governor has also summoned key stakeholders from both communities to an emergency peace and security meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Light House in Awka, as the state government moves to prevent further bloodshed and seek a lasting resolution to the dispute.
Soludo’s intervention comes after days of violence between the neighbouring communities in which at least five people were reported killed, several others injured and houses, shops and other properties destroyed. The palace of the traditional ruler of Aguleri was also reportedly burnt during the violence.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor expressed sadness over the deaths and injuries recorded during the clash and warned that violence, bloodletting and destruction of property had no place in Anambra State.
“Following recent reports of a communal clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, which tragically resulted in loss of life and injuries, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has intervened decisively to restore law and order,” the statement said.
It added that Soludo was deeply saddened by the casualties and had directed the communities to immediately stop further confrontation.
“In the interim, the Governor has issued a stern directive ordering both communities to immediately cease all forms of hostilities, maintain absolute peace, and exercise restraint,” the statement said.
The government further directed that all grievances, claims and arguments relating to the disputed area should now be presented only through designated community representatives at Wednesday’s meeting in Awka.
According to the statement, the emergency meeting is intended to address the underlying causes of the dispute and establish a framework for a permanent settlement rather than allow the communities to continue attempting to resolve the matter through confrontation.
Security agencies, including the police, have also been deployed to the affected communities to maintain law and order, protect residents and prevent further breaches of the peace.
The latest intervention follows earlier measures taken by the state government after the dispute escalated.
On Friday, Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who also chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, visited the affected communities alongside the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji, to assess the destruction.
During the visit, the government ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market after the violence spread through the area. Several houses and shops were reported burnt, while a rice-processing facility containing bags of rice was also destroyed. Traders were seen leaving the area with what remained of their goods.
Ibezim said commercial and other activities at the market would remain suspended pending the conclusion of investigations and the government’s decision on those responsible for the violence.
He also warned both communities that neither traditional leaders nor local government officials had the authority to unilaterally determine inter-community boundaries.
“No community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the State Government,” the deputy governor said.
He stressed that boundary demarcation and monumentation remained the responsibility of the State Boundary Committee.
Traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, respectively, had earlier said the immediate crisis arose when people from Aguleri attempted to erect a signpost and install security cameras around the disputed market area.
According to the traditional rulers, three people were killed in Aguleri and two in Umuoba Anam, while others were hospitalised and property was destroyed.
Before the market closure, the Anambra East Local Government authorities had also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Aguleri and Umuoba Anam, restricting movement between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as part of measures aimed at restoring calm.
The curfew, announced by the Anambra East Mayor, Ifeanyi Chinweze, prohibited non-essential movement and public gatherings during the restricted hours, while security personnel and genuine emergencies were exempted.
The dispute has continued despite earlier attempts at dialogue between the communities.
The President-General of Umuoba Anam Town Union, Uchenna Anizor, said representatives of the communities had previously held meetings over the disputed land before events deteriorated into violence on October 1.
“We want peace. There is no need for acrimony over this land issue,” Anizor said while appealing for restraint.
Soludo has now taken direct charge of the reconciliation process, directing both communities to suspend further action and wait for the outcome of the emergency meeting.
The governor reassured residents that his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property and resolving communal disputes through lawful and peaceful processes.
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