By Our Reporter
The Federated Association of Umuoba Anam Council (FAUDECO) has formally petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and restrain alleged violent attacks by Aguleri youths on their fish ponds and farmlands at Omagu Umuoji, near Egbeagu Eziagulu Otu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The petition, dated January 31, 2025, and signed by Chief S. N. Okoye and Comrade C. Mmehie, Chairman and Secretary of FAUDECO respectively, accuses individuals from Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu of armed invasions, arson, and destruction of properties belonging to the peaceful Umuoji community.
Details of Alleged Attacks
FAUDECO stated that on January 25, 2025, armed men allegedly from Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu wielding AK-47 rifles invaded Borrow Pit and Onumonu-Akpatieyi fishing pools owned by Umuoji Umuoba Anam, firing indiscriminately for over two hours and endangering lives.
The following day, January 26, 2025, the attackers reportedly escalated their violence by setting fire to properties in Omagu Umuoji, including a community school, houses, and farmland.
The statement further revealed that a joint task force comprising the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army arrested some of the perpetrators, who are currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka. FAUDECO claims to have video evidence of these attacks and is prepared to present it to the public.
Historical Ownership and Dismissal of Eziagulu-Otu Claims
The council emphasized that Omagu Umuoji has been under Umuoji’s ownership and control for generations. It cited a 1939 ruling by the Umuleri Native Court (Suit No. 9/39) and subsequent legal decisions affirming Umuoji’s rights over the disputed land. The ruling rejected claims by Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu to ownership of the fish ponds in question.
Denial of Allegations
In response to recent allegations from Eziagulu-Otu Town Union on January 28, 2025, FAUDECO dismissed claims of violence, kidnapping, and arson by Umuoji as false and designed to frame the peaceful community as aggressors.
“The people of Umuoba Anam are known for peace and harmony with their neighbors. The baseless accusations by Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu are simply attempts to divert attention from their unlawful acts of aggression,” the statement read.
FAUDECO noted that the violent actions were perpetrated by “a criminal element” within the Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu community, led by one Mr. Ejimofor, also known as Okwuluoka.
Appeal for Government Intervention
The petition called on Governor Soludo and the Anambra State Government to bring Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu miscreants to order, emphasizing that peace-loving Umuoji people do not seek conflict but will not stand idle while their rights and properties are violated.
“The Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu people are not the only family with whom we share boundaries; we also have peaceful boundaries with Iyiora Anam people. The issue remains the persistent lawlessness of a micro criminal group within Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu,” FAUDECO stated.
The council concluded by urging the government and relevant authorities to ensure justice and restore peace to the region.
