Umuoba Anam Committed to Peaceful Coexistene with Neighbours- Igwe Ekwealor

By Olisemeka Obeche

The traditional Ruler of Umuoba Anam, Igwe (Sir) George Obalum Ekwealor (Oba Agu II) has reiterated the commitment of his subjects to peaceful coexistence with its neighbouring communities, and amicable resolution of lingering conflict over fish ponds at Omagu Umuoji farm settlement.

Igwe Ekwealor made the pledge on Sunday while addressing press after a close-door meeting involving community leaders and stakeholders from Anam, Aguleri and Nando with Senator Tony Nwoye and Hon. Peter Aniekwe at Nsugbe where decision to cease hostilities over the Omagu Umuoji settlement was reached.

AnambraDaily had earlier reported that the Senator representing Anambra North and his counterpart at the Federal House of Representative had after the meeting, urged all parties in the conflict, especially youths from Egbeagu Eziagulu-Out Aguler and their counterpart from Umuoji, Umuoba Anam to cease violent attacks and work towards amicable and sustainable peace in the area.
Reacting to the outcome of the crisis meeting, Igwe Oba Agu expressed his full commitment to peaceful resolution of the crisis and appealed to youths to stand down and refrain from any reprisal attacks over the loss of live and properties in the wake of the unpass.

“I wish to affirm my support to the decision to end hostilities at Omagu-Umuoji Umuoba Anam. I’m also appealing to Umuoji youths, and their counterparts from Umuoba and Anam in general to align themselves with this decision for the sake of peace.

“I’m also appealing to the traditional rulers in Aguleri to also restrain their youths from further acts of aggression against Anam people. As neighbours, we are not supposed to engage in killing ourselves because we inter-marry and have many things in common. It’s therefore imperative that we refrain from any act capable of causing violent conflict between us.
The monarch also cautioned those behind the violent conflict to pull back.

“My appeal also goes to our neighbours, especially youths from Egbeagu-Eziagulu-Otu to stop fishing in our ponds or encroachment on our property to allow our relationships to remain cordial as before.

“My appeal also goes to our neighbours, especially youths from Egbeagu-Eziagulu-Otu to stop fishing in our ponds or encroachment on our property to allow our relationships to remain cordial as before. I’m assuring them that our people will not encroach on their property. I’m equally begging all those persons who are secretly behind this violent attack to withdraw from that and stop further bloodsheds and destruction of properties.

Ekwealor expressed disappointment that innocent persons from Umudora and Umueze Anam were abducted and harmed over a conflict between Umuoji, a village in Umuoba Anam and their Egbeagu, Eziagulu-Otu Aguleri. He appealed to Aguleri leaders to facilitate urgent release and safe return of the abducted persons to their families.

According to him, “those behind these barbaric acts were seeking for a full-blown war between Anam and Aguleri which is not good for us. We don’t want that. We want peace with our neighbours and across Omambala and our state. I’m therefore appealing o those behind these abductions to release our sons being held captive and refrain from such actions to give peace a chance.

He thanked the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Anambra East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, Senator Tony Nwoye, Hon. Peter Aniekwe and other stakeholders, for their efforts and commitment towards amicable resolution of the conflict.