Anambra Closes Otuocha Market After Deadly Community Clashes

Anambra State has closed Otuocha Market and ordered Aguleri and Umuoba Anam residents to stop fighting after clashes between the neighbouring communities left five people dead, according to later accounts from their traditional rulers. The state says the market will remain shut while authorities investigate the violence and determine further action. An earlier police update confirmed one fatality and injuries; independent confirmation of the later five-death toll was not provided in the reports reviewed. Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim announced the market closure during an assessment visit, saying it was ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. The suspension covers commercial and other activities at the market and is to continue pending the investigation. Ibezim, who chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, said boundaries between communities cannot be determined by community leaders or local government chairmen without the state government’s knowledge. The committee is responsible for boundary demarcation and marking within the state.