In line with the directives by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo CFR, to find lasting peace in the reoccurring communal clashes between Omor and Anaku in Ayamelum local government area, the state Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, on Saturday, 18 February, 2023 paid a fact-finding visit to the area, appeals for peaceful coexistence.
Dr Ibezim, while separately speaking to the communities, cautioned on the consequences of the communal crisis, warning that no meaningful development can be attracted to the area despite its rich agricultural potential, while reminiscing on the history of the area when foreign investors were cultivating rice in commercial quantity and providing jobs, before the recent reoccurring clashes.
Mr. Deputy Governor, who also heads the state boundary committee, appealed for a stay of action, pleading for the status quo to remain, as the state government seek to find lasting peace in the area.
He sympathized with both communities in the recent crisis that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties worth millions of Naira.
Regretting that the crises are giving the Governor, a sleepless night having taken the oath of office to protect the life and property of ndi Anambra hence his determination to find lasting peace in the area.
On his side, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor, Air Vice Marshall Ben Chiobi, Rtd, regretted the latest event that led to the crisis and destruction of properties in the area, noting that the state government has in the past constituted a peace committee that produced a White Paper on the crisis to ensure peace, stressing that truth is needed to find the remote and immediate cause of the recent disturbances.
Responding in their different communities, during the visits, Mr. Peter Emeka spoke on behalf of Omor community while Michael Atuanya spoke for Anaku, both traced the genesis of the latest crisis, while blaming each other for the escalation, however, appealed to the state government to ensure that peace returned to the area.
Among top government functionaries present include the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanya, the Transition Council Chairman of Ayamelum, Livinus Onyenwe, and Senior Special Assistant on Boundary Matters Mr. Ekene Okoye.
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