The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed that more than 150 houses were destroyed during the communal clash between Umuoba Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra State last month.
The agency also disclosed that more than 2,000 persons were displaced, while 10 people were killed during the crisis.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Enugu Zonal Office, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe, disclosed this during an impact assessment visit to the affected communities.
The communal clash resulted in the destruction of houses, shops, factories, vehicles and other property belonging to residents, including non-indigenes living in the affected communities.
The scale of destruction prompted the Federal Government, through NEMA, to send an assessment team to the communities to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the possible areas of intervention for the victims.
The team, comprising officials of NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, was taken to the affected communities by the Mayor of Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr Ifeanyi Chinweze, alongside community leaders and security operatives.
Madukwe described the level of destruction as unfortunate, noting that the agency would submit its findings to the Federal Government for possible assistance to enable the victims to return to their homes.
She, however, urged community leaders and other stakeholders to work towards resolving the crisis and preventing a recurrence.
The Anambra East Local Government Mayor, Chinweze, assured that efforts were being made to resolve the differences that triggered the violence.
He appealed to residents to embrace peace and dialogue, noting that the curfew imposed in the area had contributed to restoring calm.
Chinweze thanked the Federal Government for dispatching the assessment team and expressed hope that relief materials and other forms of assistance would be provided to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
Also speaking, the Head of Administration, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Ndidi Omega said the state government had set up a committee to investigate the crisis, recommend measures to prevent a recurrence and propose assistance for the victims.
More than one month after the incident, the affected communities remain deserted, with security personnel deployed to maintain peace and order, our correspondent reports.
