The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, on Friday, led heads of other security agencies, along with some top state government functionaries, to crisis-hit Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement in Awka.

The communities, located in Anambra East and Anambra West Local Government Areas respectively, were recently engulfed in a communal clash that claimed one life.

Mr Ikenga stated that the team, which included Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim, visited the affected communities and flashpoints to assess the extent of the crisis.

The statement partly read: “On-the-spot assessment of the crisis-affected areas of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities was conducted. The visit formed part of the ongoing efforts to stabilise the situation, safeguard lives and property, and maintain law and order in the affected areas.”

According to him, the assessment provided the CP and other stakeholders with a first-hand understanding of the security situation in the area.

“The delegation also confirmed the fatal injury sustained by a victim, assessed the extent of property destruction, and reviewed the impact of the crisis on residents. It also reviewed the impact on the affected communities,” he added.

The PPRO added that the visit enabled the stakeholders to identify immediate and sustainable measures aimed at restoring peace, strengthening security and preventing further escalation.

The statement quoted Mr Ama as saying that the command was committed to maintaining law and order and protecting the lives and property of citizens.

“Ama also said the command would ensure that residents were able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear. He called on the people of Aguleri and Umuoba Anam to remain calm and refrain from actions capable of escalating the situation.

“He urged residents to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by providing credible and timely information to support security operations,” the statement added.

It maintained that such information would also assist ongoing peace-building efforts in the affected communities.

The PPRO assured residents of the warring communities that appropriate security measures were being put in place to achieve stability in the affected areas.

He added that measures were also being designed to address the underlying issues through dialogue and other lawful channels to prevent further breaches of the peace in the communities.

The clash between the two communities was caused by a land dispute.
(NAN)