Soludo Brokers Peace Between Umuoba Anam, Aguleri, Sets Up Judicial Commission of Inquiry

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has brokered a fresh peace initiative between Umuoba Anam and Aguleri communities following the recent violent clashes that claimed lives and led to the destruction of property.

Soludo convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Light House, Awka, on Wednesday, where traditional rulers, Presidents-General and community leaders from Aguleri, Umuoba Anam and Umueri deliberated on the crisis and measures to prevent further escalation.

The governor condemned the loss of lives and destruction of property, describing the violence as unacceptable.

He directed security agencies to maintain a robust, round-the-clock presence in the affected communities to safeguard lives and property and ensure compliance with the ceasefire.

Soludo had earlier ordered both communities to immediately cease all hostilities and exercise restraint, while directing security agencies to prevent any further breach of the peace.

At the meeting, community leaders, including Igwe Michael Idigo and Hon. Fidel Okafor, condemned the violence, drawing attention to the killing of a minor and an unarmed Umuoba Anam resident, as well as the retaliatory destruction of the revered Idigo Palace.

The leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and urged the government to ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.

Speaking as an observer on behalf of the Umueri community, retired Justice Charles Okaa appealed for restraint and urged the state government to enforce the 1982 Supreme Court judgment on the boundary dispute between Umueri and Aguleri as part of efforts to achieve a lasting resolution.

Following extensive deliberations, the stakeholders reached a number of resolutions, including an immediate ceasefire, prosecution of perpetrators, accountability for community leadership and the reconstruction of the destroyed Idigo Palace.

Condemning the attack on the traditional institution, Soludo described the destruction of the palace as an assault on the heritage and dignity of the state and pledged government support for its reconstruction.

The governor also announced the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the crisis comprehensively.

The commission will examine petitions, complaints, historical grievances and other issues connected to the dispute and is expected to submit its report within four months.

The move follows the state government’s earlier efforts to address the underlying causes of the long-running dispute through dialogue and fact-finding. In June, the Anambra East Local Government administration had also commenced an independent, fact-based process to examine the boundary dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam.

The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a renewed commitment by the participating communities to cease hostilities, embrace dialogue and work towards peaceful coexistence.

The summit was attended by traditional rulers, Presidents-General and community leaders from Aguleri, Umueri and Anam, as well as traditional rulers from the Anambra South and Central Senatorial Districts, the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and senior government officials.

The latest intervention comes days after the renewed clash between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam, which reportedly resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of property. The crisis was linked to tensions over a disputed boundary area.

#