10 killed, 2,000 displaced, 150 houses destroyed in Umuoba Anam, Aguleri crisis – NEMA

Over one hundred and fifty houses were destroyed during the communal clash between two villages in Umuoba Anam and Aguleri. Communities in Anambra State.

Similarly more than two thousand persons were displaced while ten persons were either killed or declared missing during the crisis.

The Head of Operation, National Emergency Management Agency,Enugu Zonal Office Mrs Priscilla Madukwe made the known when she led a team on an impact assessment of the affected areas.

The communal clash which occurred last month led to the destruction of houses, shops, factories, automobiles and other property belonging to residents of the communities including those who are not indigenes of the areas.

The magnitude of the destruction prompted the federal government overnment through the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, to visit the Communities to evaluate the extent of damage ,with a view to assisting the victims.

The team which comprises of NEMA and SEMA were led to the devastated communities by the mayor of Anambra East local government area, Mr Ifeanyi Chinweze, some community leaders and security operatives.

The NEMA head of Operations, Mrs Madukwe described the level of damage as unfortunate and noted that their findings will be submitted to the federal government for possible assistance to the victims to enable them to return to their homes.

Mrs Madukwe however called on community leaders and stakeholders in the affected areas to see that the crisis was resolved and guard against a repeat in the future

The Mayor of Anambra East local government area, Mr Chinweze assured that efforts were being made to resolve the differences that led to the disturbance.

Mr Chinweze called on the people to embrace peace and dialogue, stressing that the curfew imposed in the area contributed in restoring calm to the zone .

He thanked the Federal Government for sending the assessment team and expressed the hope that relief will come to the people to reduce the pains caused by the crisis.

In an interview, the Head of Administration, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mrs Ndidi Omega said that the government had set up a committee to look into the crisis and recommend ways to avoid a repeat and suggest assistance for the victims..

Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that over one month after the incident the affected areas remain deserted with some security men stationed there to keep peace and order.