Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has secured an immediate ceasefire between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area following deadly clashes that claimed lives and destroyed property, including the historic Idigo Palace.
Soludo brokered the ceasefire during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Light House, Awka, bringing together traditional rulers, presidents-general and community leaders from Aguleri, Umuoba Anam and neighbouring Umueri, alongside other traditional rulers and government officials.
The governor condemned the loss of lives and destruction of property, warning that his administration would not tolerate lawlessness, self-help or the use of violence to resolve communal disputes.
The conflict has claimed the lives of a minor and an unarmed person from Umuoba Anam, while retaliatory violence resulted in the destruction of the Idigo Palace, an important symbol of the area’s traditional heritage.
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Soludo described the attack on the traditional institution as unacceptable and pledged state government’s support for the reconstruction of the destroyed palace.
To prevent further violence, the governor directed security agencies to maintain a round-the-clock presence in the affected communities, stressing that the government would remain firm and impartial in enforcing peace and the rule of law.
Community leaders, including Igwe Michael Idigo and Fidel Okafor, condemned the killings and destruction, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and prosecution of those responsible for the violence.
Retired Justice Charles C. Okaa, who participated as an observer on behalf of the Umueri community, appealed for restraint and urged the state government to enforce the 1982 Supreme Court judgment concerning boundary matters between Umueri and Aguleri as part of efforts to achieve a lasting settlement.
The stakeholders agreed on an immediate ceasefire, prosecution of perpetrators, greater accountability for community leadership and reconstruction of the Idigo Palace, among other measures aimed at restoring peace.
The state government also established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate petitions, complaints and historical grievances arising from the conflict. The commission is expected to submit its report within four months.
The meeting ended with representatives of the affected communities committing themselves to peaceful coexistence and resolving outstanding disputes through lawful and non-violent means.
