Three persons hacked to death in Anambra communal clash

The Police Command in Anambra on Sunday said three persons have been confirmed dead in a communal clash between Omor and Anaku communities in Anyamelum Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Sunday that normalcy has since been restored in the area.

Ikenga said that Mr Chris Owolabi, Commissioner of Police in the state, personally led a team of operatives to quell the communal clash between the neighbouring communities.

He said that the command was still gathering information on the extent of damage while assuring that efforts were on to avoid deterioration of the situation and ensure lasting peace.

“Normalcy has been restored in the area and our men are still on ground to ensure safety of life and property. So far, we have recovered three bodies which have been deposited at the morgue.

“I will update you as the development unfolds,” he said.

Anaku and Omor, both agrarian communities, have been having protracted crisis of land issue.

According to local sources, some of the affected persons in the renewed crisis included a former Chief Judge of Anambra and a former commissioner whose houses were said to have been destroyed.

The source said that about three buildings were burnt and nine people injured in the fracas.