The Anambra Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market following an inter-communal clash between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities that left five people dead and several others injured.
Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim announced the closure during an assessment visit to the affected communities, saying the directive was issued by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo. He said all economic and other activities in the market would remain suspended pending the conclusion of investigations and appropriate action against those responsible.
Ibezim, who chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, said no community leader or local government chairman had the authority to determine boundaries without the state government. He said the committee remained responsible for the demarcation and monumentation of boundaries in the state.
Traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, respectively, said the crisis followed an attempt to erect a signpost and install security cameras in the market area. They said three people died in Aguleri and two in Umuoba-Anam, while houses, shops, a rice processing factory and other property were destroyed during the violence.
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