UNIEC CALLS FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN THE OMAMBALA REGION. Let truth guide judgment, justice follow due process, and peace prevail.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT ON PEACE, SECURITY AND RECONCILIATION IN THE OMAMBALA REGION

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note of the appeal reportedly issued by concerned citizens of Umuoba Anam regarding the recent security situation in the Omambala region and the longstanding disputes involving land, fishing ponds, boundaries and related community interests.

UNIEC expresses deep concern over any reported loss of life, injuries, destruction of property, displacement of families and disruption of economic and social activities. At the same time, as an institution committed to truth, justice, peace and responsible elder-statesmanship, we emphasise that all reported facts, casualty figures, allegations and claims of responsibility must be independently verified by the competent authorities before definitive conclusions are reached.

THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

Our elders have always taught that “when blood is shed between brothers, the first duty of the elders is to stop the bleeding before asking who started the quarrel.”

UNIEC therefore calls upon all parties to immediately refrain from violence, retaliation, provocation, inflammatory statements and actions capable of escalating tensions.

No land, fishing pond, boundary or political disagreement is worth the life of a human being.

CALL FOR URGENT GOVERNMENTAL ACTION

UNIEC respectfully urges the Anambra State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria and all relevant security and emergency agencies to:

1. Take immediate and lawful measures to protect lives and property throughout affected communities. 2. Conduct a transparent, impartial and professionally documented investigation into the reported October 1, 2026 incident. 3. Ensure that injured persons receive appropriate medical attention and that displaced and affected families receive necessary humanitarian assistance. 4. Establish the verified facts concerning the reported violence, casualties, destruction and displacement. 5. Ensure that any person found responsible for criminal conduct is dealt with strictly in accordance with Nigerian law and due process.

6. Prevent collective punishment, reprisals or the indiscriminate attribution of blame to entire communities. 7. Establish or strengthen a structured peace and reconciliation mechanism involving the affected communities, traditional rulers, respected elders, women, youth and other legitimate stakeholders.

LET TRUTH PRECEDE JUDGMENT

UNIEC particularly advises against transforming preliminary reports into established conclusions.

Our elders say:

“The person who hears one side of a quarrel has heard only half of the story.”

Accordingly, all allegations should be subjected to evidence, proper investigation and fair hearing. Justice must be pursued without prejudice, vengeance or collective condemnation.

A LASTING SOLUTION TO LAND AND BOUNDARY DISPUTES

UNIEC further believes that recurring disputes cannot be resolved permanently through security operations alone.

Where appropriate, government should facilitate lawful boundary verification, documentary examination, historical evidence gathering, mediation and alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Traditional institutions and community elders should be encouraged to participate constructively, while final determinations involving legal rights should remain subject to the Constitution and applicable laws of Nigeria.

OUR ELDERLY COUNSEL TO ALL COMMUNITIES

UNIEC calls upon Umuoba Anam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nando, Umuoji, Olu, Omor, Igbariam, communities within Ayamelum and all neighbouring communities to exercise maximum restraint.

We urge every community to protect innocent persons, reject reprisals, safeguard places of worship, markets, homes and businesses, and discourage young people from being recruited into violence.

“A quarrel between neighbours does not require the destruction of the compound they both need to live in.”

The Omambala region belongs to generations yet unborn. Its land, waterways, agricultural resources and communities must become foundations for prosperity rather than recurring sources of conflict.

UNIEC'S INSTITUTIONAL POSITION

UNIEC Worldwide stands firmly for:

Peace without surrendering justice. Justice without vengeance. Dialogue without intimidation. Development without discrimination. And reconciliation without sacrificing truth.

We therefore call upon the relevant authorities and community leaderships to treat this matter as an urgent priority and to pursue a credible process capable of restoring confidence, security and peaceful coexistence.

Let the facts be established.

Let the innocent be protected.

Let the injured be assisted.

Let the displaced return safely.

Let lawful grievances be heard.

Let justice follow due process.

And let the elders, governments and responsible leaders work together to ensure that the children of the Omambala region inherit peace rather than another generation of unresolved conflict.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity.