Anambra shuts Otuocha market after communal clash leaves five dead

The Anambra State Government has closed Otuocha Company Market after renewed violence between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities left five people dead and destroyed homes, shops and other property.

The market in Anambra East Local Government Area will remain shut until further notice while the government assesses the damage and investigates the clash. Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim announced the closure on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s instruction.

The violence arose from a land dispute. Residents and the communities’ traditional rulers told Punch that an attempt by Aguleri residents to erect a signpost and install security cameras at the boundary was opposed by Umuoba-Anam.

Punch reported that the palace of Aguleri’s traditional ruler was set ablaze late on Friday by unidentified persons following an exchange of gunfire. The renewed violence occurred after Ibezim and the state commissioner of police visited the area to assess the situation.

Several houses and shops, a rice processing factory and bags of rice were burnt. Traders fled with remaining goods, while other injured residents were taken to hospital, according to the reports.

The traditional rulers told Punch that three people from Aguleri and two from Umuoba-Anam died. Vanguard reported that four additional deaths had brought the total to five.

Ibezim said no economic or other activity would be allowed in the market until investigations were completed and action taken against those responsible. He also said community leaders and local government chairmen could not determine boundaries without the state government; that responsibility belongs to the State Boundary Committee.

In a statement on Saturday, police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga condemned the renewed violence and alleged arson, describing them as a breach of the peace agreement reached after the earlier intervention.

Ikenga said anyone found responsible after investigation would face prosecution. He urged both communities to exercise restraint, work with security agencies and report credible information about plans to disrupt the peace.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard