By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the reported burning of the Ama Igwe in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, 0barely moments after the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and other top government and security officials left the area after an on-the-spot assessment of the renewed communal crisis between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam.
The fresh incident has raised fresh tension in the area, coming on the heels of Friday’s peace and security intervention by the state government and security agencies, which was aimed at calming the situation and preventing further bloodshed and destruction.
Recall that some videos currently circulating on social media and recorded at the scene emerged, showing the Ama Igwe Aguleri engulfed in flames, while sounds of gunshots are heard in the background. Some of those found around the scene were equally seen celebrating and recording the development on their phones.
The identities and affiliations of the persons seen in the videos could not, however, be independently established as of press time; although they were heard mocking and speaking against Aguleri people.
These were all reportedly happening shortly after the State Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Governor, and some other top government and security officials left the area after an on-the-spot assessment and preaching peace to the warring communities.
Further reports on the ongoing clash also have it that no fewer than five persons were also killed in the crisis.
Reacting to the latest incident, the Anambra State Police Command, condemned the act and said it had commenced efforts to identify and arrest persons suspected to have participated in the reported arson and other criminal acts.
Frowning at what it described as a breach of the peace arrangement, the police warned that nobody would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
The Command urged the people of both communities to resist retaliation and allow the ongoing engagements and lawful processes to address their grievances, stressing that anyone found to have participated in the arson or other criminal activities would be made to face the law after due investigation.
The Command further said it had deployed strategic security measures to the affected areas and was working to identify those behind the latest breach, while urging traditional rulers, town union leaders, youth leaders, women and other stakeholders to cooperate with the security agencies.
The renewed violence comes against the backdrop of a dusk-to-dawn curfew already imposed on Aguleri and Umuoba Anam by the Anambra East Local Government Area authorities following the earlier clash and bloodshed. The curfew restricts movement between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily as part of measures to prevent further escalation.
The Police consequently urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation, while also assuring that it would combine dialogue, intelligence-led policing and lawful enforcement to restore and sustain peace in the affected communities.
Watch video from the incident of the gunshot below:Â
