Anambra State Government has shut down Otuocha Company Market after a violent dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities reportedly left five people dead.
The government ordered the immediate suspension of all economic and other activities at the market following the escalation of the crisis.
Five die as Aguleri-Umuoba-Anam dispute worsens
Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim announced the shutdown during a visit to the area on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Ibezim visited the affected communities to assess the level of damage caused by the dispute.
The visit revealed extensive destruction around the market. Several houses and shops had been burnt.
A rice processing factory was also affected. Numerous bags of rice and other goods were destroyed in the incident.
Traders were seen leaving the area with whatever goods they could salvage.
Anambra Government shuts Otuocha market
Ibezim, who chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, ordered that no activities should resume at the market until the government completes its investigation.
He also warned that those found responsible for the violence would face appropriate action.
The deputy governor stressed that community leaders and local government chairmen cannot independently determine boundaries between communities.
According to him, only the state government, through the State Boundary Committee, has the authority to handle the monumentation of boundaries within Anambra.
Traditional rulers speak on deadly crisis
The traditional rulers of both communities gave accounts of how the dispute escalated.
Aguleri monarch, Igwe Michael Idigo, and his Umuoba-Anam counterpart, Igwe George Ekwealor, said the trouble started over an attempt by Aguleri people to install a signpost and security cameras in the market area.
The monarchs said the violence claimed three lives from Aguleri and two from Umuoba-Anam.
Several other people were reportedly injured and taken to hospitals, while homes, businesses and other valuable property were destroyed.
The traditional rulers thanked the Anambra State Government for its intervention. They said the swift response helped prevent further loss of lives and property.
Government moves to restore calm
Ibezim was accompanied during the inspection by Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Vepor Egbuna, and Special Assistant to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Ekenechukwu Okoye, were also part of the delegation.
The government is expected to complete its investigation before deciding the next steps for the market and the affected communities.