/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 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.
--Vanguard
No comments:
Post a Comment