Umuoba Anam Youth Condemns Threats Against Army, Urges Govt to Hold Plotters Responsible
By Felix Oti Awka
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council has condemned alleged threats by some Aguleri youths to confront Nigerian Army personnel deployed to Anambra East, if they fail to allow them launch further attacks on Umuoba Anam.
In a statement jointly signed by its President General and Secretary, Comrade Onyebuchi Mmeh and Onyebuchi Mmeze Nweke, the Council said such threats could undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area.
The reaction followed the circulation of a WhatsApp voice note allegedly attributed to an unidentified indigene of Aguleri, in which the speaker was said to have questioned the presence of military personnel at a checkpoint along the road towards Ama-Igwè Aguleri and threatened a confrontation with soldiers if they refused to vacate the area to allow an attack on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The Umuoba Anam Youth Council described the alleged statements as disturbing, especially at a time when security agencies have been deployed to prevent further escalation of the longstanding communal dispute.
The Council called on the Anambra State Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the recording and take appropriate action against anyone found 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 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.
The youth body said that despite heightened military presence in Umuoba Anam since the crisis deepened, the community had refrained from confrontation.
“Despite the fact that some of our people were arrested and others sustained 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 on security operatives enforcing peace in Otuocha,” it stated.
According to the Council, the presence of the Army should be seen as part of efforts to protect lives, maintain order and prevent further bloodshed.
The Council further appealed to government to establish the facts surrounding the allegations 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,” it added.
It reiterated that Umuoba Anam remains committed to peaceful dialogue and will continue to cooperate with the government, traditional institutions and security agencies working to restore stability.
“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.
“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 Council said.
The youth body also called on community leaders and young people on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory statements capable of worsening tensions.
