A former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has appealed to the people of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam to immediately end hostilities and embrace peace following the recent escalation of violence between the two communities.
Obiano made the appeal after a discussion with his successor, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on the worsening situation in the affected communities.
In a statement signed by Dr Paul Nwosu, the former governor said Soludo had demonstrated a clear understanding of the issues surrounding the crisis and assured him that the state government had already intervened to prevent further escalation.
According to Obiano, security personnel have been deployed to the area, while the state government is working to address the root causes of the dispute and achieve a lasting resolution.
The former governor, who is from Aguleri, urged residents of both communities to lay down their arms and cooperate with the state government and security agencies in restoring peace.
He expressed concern over the destruction recorded during the crisis, including the burning of the palaces of the incumbent and former traditional rulers of Aguleri, as well as other properties around Ama Igwe.
Obiano described the incidents as regrettable and warned that continued violence could lead to further loss of lives and destruction of property.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders, stakeholders and residents of both communities to exercise restraint and support efforts aimed at resolving the dispute through dialogue.
The former governor stressed that the immediate priority should be the protection of lives and property and the creation of an atmosphere conducive to peaceful negotiations.
He urged the people of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam to give the state government’s intervention an opportunity to succeed by refraining from further acts of violence.
