About two persons were reportedly killed at Umuife village, Urum in
Awka North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra state during a land
clash with the neighbouring Achalla.
A source alleged that the deceased, Mr Ikechukwu Aaron, was killed by
youths suspected to have come from Achalla, when they allegedly invaded
Urum and set some houses ablaze.
“The people of Umuife village in Urum were invaded by some youths we
suspect to have come from Achalla. The suspects killed one Mr. Ikechukwu
Aaron and made away with his corpse, and set more than three buildings
ablaze; destroying property worth millions of naira. A little boy of
about 5 years of Efium in Ohaukwu council area of Ebony state was burnt
to death by the inferno that engulfed the building where he was
sleeping,” the source further alleged.
Orange recalls that Achalla which is the headquarters of Awka North LGA
have been having a running battle with Urum over some land, which has
even led the Awka North Transition Chairman, Hon. Ferdinand Onwuje, and
Hon. Chief John Nwokoye, the member representing Awka north constituency
in Anambra state House of Assembly to constitute committees to look
into it. Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra
State police command, Mr Haruna Muhammed, said the extent of damage and
injuries sustained at the incident was yet to be ascertained but the
Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang, has directed the Criminal
Investigative Department (CID) Awka to carry out discreet investigation
in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding it and bring
perpetrators to book.
“On the 22/06/2020 at about 1:pm, there was a distress call that some
youth in large number allegedly from Achalla invaded Urum community with
offensive weapons and razed down three buildings, damaged other
buildings by destroying Louvre glasses and other structures. Following
the distress, the Command quickly dispatched joint Police teams
comprising PMF/SARS and other Conventional Units led by the Assistant
Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations ACP David Iloyanomon.
“Situation was brought under control, while joint patrol is still
ongoing to restore normalcy in the affected areas. It would be recalled
that on the 15/5/2020 the Commissioner of Police summoned all
stakeholders in the two warring communities over the looming crisis
concerning land dispute which both communities were laying claim of
ownership. The CP waded into the matter and warned both parties to
maintain peace and explore all the legal avenues to resolve their
grievances without resorting to violence.
“However, despite the Commissioner of Police intervention and warning,
the two warring communities had on 27/5/2020 engaged themselves into a
fight over same land matter,” he noted.
