Police in Anambra on Saturday said it had brought a renewed crisis between neighbouring communities of Aguleri and Umueri in Anambra East LGA under control, warning parties to maintain peace.

Police spokesman in the state, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement in Awka, noted that no loss of lives or injury was reported during the fracas. 

He said, however, that one building, four vehicles and two motorcycles were set ablaze by the warring factions.

“On January 16, 2021 at about 7:15a.m, there was a report of a crisis between Umueri and Aguleri Communities, both in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra.

“The crisis erupted over a disputed area of land which both Communities were laying claim to ownership.

“Following a distress call, the Command quickly dispatched joint Police teams comprising PMF/RRS and other conventional units in collaboration with other security agencies to the area,” the statement from the police read in part.

Mr. Mohammed said that the police team was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in-charge of operations, Salman Dogo, to the scene.

He said that the situation was brought under control while joint patrol was still ongoing to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang, has directed the State CID Awka to carry out discreet investigation in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring perpetrators to book,” he added.

Mr. Mohammed said the CP also warned both parties to maintain peace and explore all the legal avenues to resolve their grievances  without resorting to violence.

He also said the CP had assured both parties that he would contact the State Government to intervene in the matter in order to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis between the two warring communities.

The News Agency of Nigerian NAN reports that the communities are agrarian and known more for massive rice farming. 

Umeri and Aguleri have a long history of bitter rivalry. Many fatal wars have been fought by these communities. Incumbent governor, Willie Obiano, hails from Aguleri community. 

(NAN)