Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has called for stronger preventive security measures to stop the crisis between Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area from escalating further.
Obi, reacting to reports of renewed hostilities, urged authorities and community leaders to move quickly to prevent the dispute from turning into a wider security crisis.
He appealed to residents of the two communities to immediately end the violence and return to dialogue, warning that continued confrontation would only bring more deaths, destruction and hardship.
According to Obi, the consequences of communal violence extend beyond the immediate loss of lives, as homes, businesses and livelihoods are also destroyed.
“No grievance, however serious, is worth the loss of lives, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the pain inflicted on families,” he said.
The former governor called for stronger mechanisms for early intervention, urging community leaders and security authorities to identify and resolve tensions before they degenerate into violence.
He also appealed to both communities to reject retaliation and pursue reconciliation.
“Let us choose dialogue over violence, reconciliation over revenge, and peace over destruction. There is always a better way to resolve our differences,” Obi said.
He urged leaders on both sides to exercise wisdom and work towards restoring lasting peace in the affected communities.
Obi also prayed for peace to return to Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri, adding, “Nigeria will be OK.”