A long-running boundary dispute between the Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State has erupted into fresh violence, leaving at least five people d3ad, several others injured, and numerous properties destroyed.
The latest confrontation, which began around Thursday, October 1, 2026, and intensified over subsequent days, was triggered by an attempt by Aguleri residents to erect a signpost and install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at a disputed boundary area near the Otuocha market and Beach Road (Ezi Otu Okpa Agba).
Umuoba Anam residents opposed the move, leading to exchanges of gunfire, arson, and widespread unrest.
According to traditional rulers of the two communities — Igwe Michael Idigo of Aguleri and Igwe George Ekwealor of Umuoba Anam — three of the deceased were from Aguleri while two were from Umuoba Anam. Several other residents sustained gunshot and machete injuries and were hospitalised.
I’mProperties set ablaze included shops, houses, a rice processing factory stocked with bags of rice, sections of the Otuocha Company Market, and the palace of the Aguleri traditional ruler.
Videos circulating on social media show thick black smoke rising from burning structures, crowds of people running through dusty streets, and chaotic scenes in the affected areas. Some clips include overlays calling for government intervention and mocking the flight of community leaders.
The Anambra State Government has intervened decisively. Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who also chairs the State Boundary Committee, visited the flashpoints and, on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the immediate closure of the Otuocha Market. All economic activities in the market have been suspended pending investigations.
Commissioner of Police Nnanna Ama led a high-level security team, including heads of other agencies and state officials, on an assessment tour of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam. The team confirmed the fatalities, evaluated the scale of destruction, and deployed additional personnel to restore order.
In a statement, Governor Soludo expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and injuries, stressing that “violence, bloodletting, and destruction of property have no place in a peaceful and prosperous Anambra State.” He ordered an immediate ceasefire, directed both communities to channel all grievances through designated stakeholders, and scheduled an emergency peace and security meeting for Wednesday, October 5, 2026, at the Light House in Awka.
The President-General of Umuoba Anam Town Union, Chief Uchenna Anizor, appealed for restraint, stating there was “no need for acrimony over this land issue.” He noted that several meetings had been held between the communities before the situation deteriorated. Political figures, including APGA candidate Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, have also called for dialogue rather than violence.
The two neighbouring communities have a history of land disputes dating back decades, including a reported clash in 2015 that also claimed lives and destroyed buildings. The disputed land is said to have been originally given by Amaeze-Aguleri to Umuoba Anam on trust, with ownership claims resurfacing periodically.
Security agencies continue to maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent further escalation while investigations into the violence and those responsible for the killings and arson are ongoing.
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