AWKA, NIGERIA — Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has appealed to the people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area to immediately end hostilities and pursue dialogue.
Obi made the appeal in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday, following reports of renewed violence between the neighbouring communities.
The latest confrontation has been linked to a longstanding land and boundary dispute. Reports indicate that the violence resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction of property, while the Anambra State Government has moved to contain the situation.
Obi Calls For Immediate Ceasefire
Obi expressed concern over the reported clashes, warning that continued violence would deepen the hardship facing residents at a time when many Nigerians were already struggling with economic pressures.
He said no grievance was worth the loss of lives, destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the suffering inflicted on families.
The former governor urged both communities to choose dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful dispute resolution rather than retaliation.
He also called on community leaders to provide the leadership required to restore calm and support efforts aimed at resolving the underlying dispute.
Clashes Leave Casualties
The renewed conflict has reportedly caused significant damage in the affected communities.
TheCable, citing officials and traditional rulers, reported that five people were killed in the latest crisis, with three deaths recorded in Aguleri and two in Umuoba-Anam. Several people were also reportedly injured, while houses, shops, a rice-processing facility and other property were damaged or destroyed.
Punch separately reported that at least one person had been confirmed dead and several others injured following an earlier confrontation connected to the dispute.
Soludo Moves To Restore Calm
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has also intervened, directing the two communities to cease hostilities and exercise restraint.
According to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Soludo has ordered that grievances and claims arising from the dispute be channelled through designated representatives of both communities.
The governor has also convened an emergency peace and security meeting involving stakeholders from the affected communities, while security personnel have been deployed to the area to help prevent further violence.
The state government has also taken steps concerning Otuocha Market, which was reportedly affected by the crisis. Authorities said economic activities there were suspended pending investigations and further action.
Obi Raises Wider Security Concern
In a separate statement on Sunday, Obi also called for the immediate and safe rescue of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members reportedly abducted while travelling to their orientation camps.
He described the incident as another indication of the security challenges facing Nigerians and expressed concern that young people preparing to serve their country could not travel safely.
Security authorities have reported that the suspected location where some of the abducted prospective corps members are being held has been identified, although an immediate operation was reportedly delayed by intelligence indicating that the area may have been planted with improvised explosive devices.
Obi called for the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of those responsible.
Call For Dialogue And Security
Obi’s two statements focused on the need to protect lives and prevent violence, both at the community level and on major transport routes.
As authorities work to restore calm in Anambra East, the immediate challenge remains preventing further clashes while addressing the underlying dispute through established peace and boundary-resolution mechanisms.
Obi urged the affected communities to reject further violence and pursue a peaceful resolution, while state authorities continue efforts to stabilise the area.
