By Ifeanyi Nwegbo :
Anambra State Government has warned Nsugbe and Anam communities to desist from fighting and the destruction of properties which has turned the areas to a war zone.
The government added that the security personnel now drafted to quell the fight in the region which has lasted longer than it should will not hesitate to arrest and deal with anyone who tries to cause more trouble.
The state government gave the warning during a reconciliatory meeting with some stakeholders and youths from both communities at Nwafor Orizu College of Education Hall, Nsugbe.
The Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was represented in the meeting by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Collins Nwabunwanne.
The governor while addressing representatives of the two communities said that he found out that the initial fight was between two individuals from the different communities and wondered why it should have developed into a full blown conflict between the whole communities.
He advised that there is the need for the people to dialogue towards resolving their differences in order to maintain peace in the region.
The governor reminded them that his administration is a peace loving one which is determined to maintain peace in all the communities in the state, saying that a committee would be constituted in order to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
The Transition Committee Chairman (TCC) of Anambra East, Dr. Anselm Onuorah pleaded that both communities should live in peace as they are brothers.
The TCC thanked the State Government for its quick intervention by sending security personnel in order to restore peace and normalcy to the region.
Former TCC, Anambra West, Mr. Sylvester Orji expressed his disaffection on the people especially those who are sending false information on social media about the brawl, asking them to desist from taking laws into their hands so as to avoid unpleasant consequences which can lead to more trouble.
The Traditional Ruler of Nsugbe, Igwe Obi Victor Ntoka and his counterpart from Umuoba Anam, Igwe George Ekwealor sympathized with those that lost their valuables during the conflict and urged the youths to surrender their weapons to the security operatives and go ahead in maintaining peace in the region.