Anambra boils as Aguleri/Umuleri renew war… Many injured, houses torched

No fewer than two persons were reportedly injured on Friday in a renewed fight between Aguleri and Umuleri communities in Anambra State.

A house was also said to be torched in the conflict.

Our correspondent learnt that one of the victims was shot in the leg while the other was stabbed.

It was not clear as of the time of filing this report from which of the divides the victims came from.

The two communities which have high degree of consanguinity and affinity have been into conflicts for over 100 years now over land.

In 1999, scores of people were killed and property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the area.

Speaking on the Friday incident, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Okaula told our correspondent on the telephone that the command had taken control of the situation.

While calling for calm in the area, Okaula warned against any further breach of the peace in the area.

The Joint Task Force team of the military, police and others had been deployed to the two communities, a source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent.

The traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Benneth Emeka, when contacted on the telephone said one building was torched, but could not confirm the number of injured persons.

He said nobody was killed, adding that the situation had been brought under control by the security operatives.

The leaders of the two communities with the help of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who hails from Aguleri, had  at different times engaged in peace and conflict resolution meetings  to  resolve the crisis in the area, all to no avail.Punch