The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has sanctioned ₦15 million to assist with the mass burial of approximately 43 individuals who perished during a communal conflict in the Ogwuaniocha community, located in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state in 2021.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the crisis was allegedly triggered by the discovery of oil in the area, leading to the emergence of various factions that began to clash over control of the oil proceeds.
The situation escalated further when the community’s traditional ruler, Oliver Nnaji, was reportedly abducted in November 2021, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
On Saturday, June 14, the state Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanya, presented the cheque to the President-General of the Ogwuaniocha Progressives Association, Vitalis Ekweanua, on behalf of the governor.
While presenting the cheque in his office in Awka, in the presence of several elders and other community stakeholders, the commissioner praised the community for taking the necessary steps to resolve the crisis and foster an environment conducive to peace.
Ifeanya, while outlining the state government’s intentions for the community, stated, “The governor is eager to visit the community with developmental initiatives; the state government has committed to ensuring that Ogwuaniocha receives all that it is entitled to as the host community under our administration.”
Upon receiving the cheque, Vitalis Ekweanua, the President-General of the community, revealed that in their efforts to implement all planned activities aimed at achieving lasting peace, they had secured funding and conducted the mass burial for the 43 deceased individuals on April 20, 2025, expressing profound gratitude to Governor Soludo for his support.
However, Ekweanua expressed concern that, despite the state government’s efforts to restore peace, the community continues to exist in a state of desolation.
He said, “The ₦15 million support is a welcome development, but the community is asking for more government presence in infrastructural development, etc. The Ogwuaniocha community is completely deserted.
“Nothing good is happening there. Our children no longer go to school because the entire school in the community (primary and secondary schools were all destroyed due to the communal crisis.
“As I speak to you, about 90 per cent of the houses, including my house as the President General of the town, were also destroyed beyond repair.
“Our healthcare facilities are also affected. Nothing good is happening there. We are currently helpless. We seriously need our solution governor to intervene urgently.
“The company drilling oil in our community is also our major challenge. Ever since they commenced oil operations in the area, we have stopped farming and fishing due to the oil spillage, and no compensation has been given to us.
“For the past three years, we have been living in fear, pain and hunger as a result of the crisis. Our kidnapped traditional ruler has remained missing since the crisis broke out in November 2021 under the immediate past administration of Willie Obiano.
“We are appealing to Governor Soludo to extend more of his kind-hearted agenda for Ndi-Anambra to our community by reconstructing the affected facilities and also build us a bridge at Ulasi River that would link Umunankwo to Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. And with this, I believe, the community would regain its lost glory.
“Soludo has been a God-sent governor to Anambra, we will support him with 100/100 votes to ensure that he emerges victorious in the November 8, 2025, governorship election in the state.”
The cheque presentation ceremony was also attended by the representative of the kidnapped traditional ruler, Oliver Nnaji, Owelle Nnaji, Ogwuaniocha community Women Leader, Mrs Appolonia Ezenwa and the Youth President of the town, Uchenna Onyedi.