Get Guardian on GoogleThe National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said at the weekend that about 150 houses were destroyed, while no fewer than 10 have either been killed or are missing following a violent communal clash between Umuoba Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Agency also disclosed that about 2,000 people have been displaced in the conflict that claimed shops, factories, residences, vehicles, among other valuable property belongings of the people
NEMA’s Head of Operations, Enugu Zonal Office, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe, disclosed these figures when she led an assessment team to the affected communities to evaluate the extent of destruction and the humanitarian impact of the violence.
The team, comprising officials of NEMA and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), was led to the devastated areas by the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Ifeanyi Chinweze, alongside community leaders and security operatives.
The communal crisis, which erupted in October, reportedly left several parts of the communities in ruins. A traditional ruler’s palace was also razed during the violence, while hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes for safety.
The Guardian gathered that the scale of destruction prompted the Federal Government, through NEMA, to dispatch an assessment team to determine the extent of the damage and identify the humanitarian needs of the affected residents.
Madukwe described the level of destruction as “unfortunate”, but assured the victims that the agency would submit its findings to the Federal Government for possible intervention.
She said the assessment was aimed at determining the appropriate assistance required to enable displaced residents to recover from the tragedy and return to their homes.
She also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify efforts towards resolving the dispute, restoring lasting peace and preventing a recurrence of the violence.
Madueke stressed that the return of peace, law and order to the affected communities remained a priority.
Also speaking , Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Chinweze, explained the council was working with relevant stakeholders to address the differences that triggered the crisis.
He called on the warring communities to embrace dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, noting that the curfew imposed in the area had contributed to restoring calm.
He however described the conflict as a major setback to socioeconomic development, warning that insecurity, killings and destruction of property could undermine economic activities and development in the affected communities.
He also commended the Federal Government for sending the assessment team and expressed hope that the victims would receive relief assistance to cushion the effects of the crisis.
Head of Administration of SEMA, Mrs Ndidi Omega, disclosed that the Anambra State Government had established a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the conflict.
According to her, the committee would recommend measures to prevent a recurrence and identify possible forms of assistance for those affected.
It was gathered that more than a month after the violence, the affected communities are reportedly yet to return fully to normalcy. Many residents are still displaced even as security operatives have maintained presence to prevent further hostilities.
