By Our Reporter
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council has condemned threats by some Aguleri youths to confront Nigerian Army personnel deployed in the Anambra East area, if they fail to step aside for them to launch further attacks on the community.
In a statement jointly signed by the President General and Secretary, Comrade Onyebuchi Mmeh and Onyebuchi Mmeze Nweke, the council warn that such actions could undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace in the communities.
The reaction followed the circulation of a WhatsApp voice note allegedly attributed to an unidentified indigene of Aguleri, in which the speaker reportedly questioned the presence of military personnel at a checkpoint along the road towards Ama-Igwè Aguleri and threatened a possible confrontation with soldiers should they refuse to vacate the area and allow them launch an attack on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council described the alleged statements as disturbing and capable of undermining the peace process, particularly at a time when security agencies are being deployed to prevent further escalation of the longstanding communal dispute.
The youth council called on the Anambra State Government and relevant security authorities to investigate the recording and take appropriate action against anyone found to be inciting violence or threatening personnel on lawful duty.
“We condemn in the strongest terms any plan or statement aimed at confronting the Nigerian Army or sabotaging the ongoing peace efforts. At a time when the government and security agencies are working to de-escalate tensions, nobody should be allowed to deliberately drag our communities back into violence,” the statement said.
They further disclosed that despite a heightened military presence in Umuoba Anam in the wake since the crisis deepened, the community had refrained from any confrontation with them. “Despite the fact that some of our people were arrested and others sustain injuries from gunshots fired by military personnel on peace-keeping in our community, we have refrained from any sign of hostility towards them. And that’s because we are genuinely committed to the peace process and have always preferred dialogue to war. We are therefore urging our brothers from Aguleri to refrain from further attacks on us or security operatives enforcing peace in Otuocha.
According to the council, the presence of the Army should be seen as part of the effort to protect lives, maintain order and prevent further bloodshed.
“We urge our people not to engage security personnel or take any action that could turn a fragile situation into another cycle of violence,” he said.
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council further appealed to the government to establish the facts surrounding the allegations contained in the voice note, including the identity of the speaker and the circumstances surrounding any reported casualties.
“We are calling for a proper investigation. If anyone has threatened to attack security personnel or incited violence, the appropriate authorities should investigate the matter and take action in accordance with the law.
The council stressed that Umuoba Anam remained committed to peaceful dialogue and would continue to cooperate with the government, traditional institutions and security agencies working to restore stability in the area.
“We want peace, and we will continue to support every genuine effort aimed at achieving lasting peace. What we cannot support is any attempt by individuals, regardless of their community, to sabotage that process through threats, incitement or violence.
The council therefore called on the Anambra State Government, Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to urgently assess the contents of the circulating recording, strengthen measures to prevent violence and ensure that individuals found to have breached the law are dealt with through due process.
The youth body also appealed to community leaders and young people on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory statements capable of worsening tensions.
“This is a time for responsible leadership, not provocation. Nobody should do anything that will cost another family a life or destroy the progress already made toward peace.
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council reiterated its commitment to peace and urged all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, lawful dispute resolution and the protection of lives and property.
The council maintained that peace efforts should not be allowed to collapse because of threats or provocative actions by individuals.
