
By Okey Maduforo
There are fears that scores of people may have lost their lives in a communal clash between Egbeagu Eziagulu Otu Community and Umuoji Umuoba Anam Community over the ownership of fish farming boundaries in Anambra East and West Local Government Areas.
The conflict, which has persisted for years, had previously claimed four lives before the current escalation.
According to Mr. Dominic Okagbue, Media Assistant to Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe, the former lawmaker representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, the exact number of casualties remains unclear. However, he expressed concerns that numerous lives might have been lost in the renewed crisis.
In response to the violence, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe intervened, facilitating peace between the warring communities. A statement signed by Okagbue noted that Obidigwe had engaged with traditional rulers and president-generals from both communities to de-escalate the situation.
“The former Federal Lawmaker, Hon. Chief Benjamin C. Obidigwe (Akaoma Jide Aku), who represented Anambra East and West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, has called for peaceful coexistence between the people of Egbeagu Eziagulu Otu Aguleri and Umuoji Umuoba Anam,” the statement reads.
“Recall that a few days ago, reports emerged of a dispute over fishing activities between individuals from these villages, allegedly resulting in fatalities on both sides.”
Reacting to the situation, Obidigwe condemned the incident as “unfortunate, unacceptable, unbearable, barbaric, and entirely condemnable,” stressing that no dispute, regardless of its significance, is worth the cost of human lives.
Obidigwe urged stakeholders, including representatives at the Senate and House of Representatives, local government officials, traditional rulers, and president-generals, to intensify efforts in fostering peace and finding a lasting resolution to the conflict.
He also praised Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for his swift response in restoring peace to the affected areas.
Describing Governor Soludo as a leader with an unwavering commitment to peace, law, and order, Obidigwe encouraged the communities to leverage the governor’s developmental initiatives and avoid actions that could disrupt harmonious coexistence.
Reflecting on his previous experiences as Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East and as a Federal Lawmaker, Obidigwe emphasized his consistent approach to addressing such conflicts through dialogue and legal channels. He asserted that taking the law into one’s hands is unethical, a violation of human rights, and contrary to the rule of law.
He concluded by charging all stakeholders in the zone to prioritize peace, noting, “an injury to one is an injury to all.”