In
what appears to be an emerging reoccurrence of the infamous Aguleri /Umuleri
war between 1999
and 2002 in which hundreds of lives were lost, a clash between
Aguleri and the neighbouring Umuoba Anam, on Friday, over a stretch of land
close to the Anambra River has led to the loss of one person, while 10 persons
sustained various degrees of injuries.
When
Sunday Vanguard visited the area yesterday, it was observed that four houses,
including the building housing the World Bank –assisted Anambra State FADAMA
111 Project, were burnt down, while the magnificent building housing Aguleri
Micro Finance Bank was torched.
Also,
all the dredging equipment, estimated to be over N50 million belonging to
JCECAN Global Link Nigeria Ltd, as well as welding machines, rubber floaters
deep black hosts, batteries, 150 plastic chairs and 30 canopies for hiring,
were set ablaze.
One
of the victims, Mr. Chibuko Ifediegwu, whose injury was said to be severe, was
on admission at the Borommew Hospital, Onitsha.
Truck
loads of policemen were seen guarding the area while the state commissioner of
police, Mr. Hosea Karma, met with the traditional rulers of the two communities
imploring them to call their youths to order.
A
youth leader in Umuoba Anam, Mr. Sam Ifeatu, who narrated the incident to
Sunday Vanguard, said trouble started when somebody from Aguleri, simply called
Obi, rechanneled filthy water from the town to the river spot where his people
usually take their bath and collect water for their domestic use, instead of
channeling it through the Aguleri end.
According
to him, when the people complained, the said Obi threatened them and this led
to a confrontation between youths of the two communities during which guns were
freely used.
However,
a community leader in Aguleri and a member of the Igwe Aguleri cabinet, Chief
Ralph Igwa, said Umuoba Anam had no claim to any parcel of land in the area as
the place they are presently residing was given to them by Aguleri people.
One feared dead as Aguleri/ Umuoba Anam fight over land
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Sunday, March 22, 2015
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