Soludo Sets Up Judicial Commission to Probe Aguleri–Umuoba Anam Clash, Orders Immediate Ceasefire
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the protracted communal conflict between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities, following renewed violence that claimed lives and resulted in the destruction of property.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo announced the establishment of the commission on Tuesday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Light House, Awka.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, Presidents-General and community leaders from Aguleri, Umueri and Anam to deliberate on the escalating crisis and seek lasting solutions to the conflict.
The commission has been mandated to examine petitions, complaints and historical grievances surrounding the dispute and submit a comprehensive report to the state government within four months.
The Governor also directed security agencies to maintain a robust, round-the-clock presence in the affected communities to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of lives and property.
Opening the meeting, Soludo condemned the loss of lives and destruction of property arising from the clashes, stressing that acts of violence and lawlessness were unacceptable.
He called on the affected communities to immediately end hostilities and cooperate fully with security agencies and the state government in restoring peace and stability to the area.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders from Aguleri, Umueri and Anam, as well as traditional rulers from Anambra South and Central Senatorial Districts, the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and other senior government officials.
Speaking during the meeting, community leaders, including Igwe Michael Idigo and Hon. Fidel Okafor, condemned the violence and drew attention to the reported killing of a minor and an unarmed person from Umuoba Anam, as well as the destruction of the historic Idigo Palace.
The leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the government to ensure that those responsible for the violence were brought to justice.
Representing the Umueri community as an observer, Justice Charles C. Okaa appealed for restraint and urged the state government to enforce the 1982 Supreme Court judgment relating to boundary matters between Umueri and Aguleri.
He described the implementation of the judgment as necessary for achieving a lasting resolution to the dispute.
After extensive deliberations, the stakeholders agreed on a number of measures aimed at restoring peace and security in the affected communities.
The resolutions included an immediate ceasefire, the prosecution of perpetrators of violence, accountability by community leadership and the rebuilding of the destroyed Idigo Palace.
The Governor also condemned the destruction of the traditional palace, describing the attack on the traditional institution and its heritage as unacceptable.
He consequently announced that the Anambra State Government would support the reconstruction of the Idigo Palace as part of efforts to restore the dignity of the traditional institution and promote reconciliation among the affected communities.
The meeting ended with representatives of the affected communities reaffirming their commitment to peace, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, while the state government reiterated its determination to pursue justice and achieve lasting peace in the affected areas.
