Aguleri and Umuleri on Saturday resumed hostilities over a disputed plot of land.
Both communities have between 1999 and 2001 engaged in a fierce war that claimed human lives and properties.
In a statement by the Chairman, Prince Chris Azor, ASCONET implored indigenes of the two communities to eschew all forms of violence and pursue a peace option towards settling their grievances and differences.
The statement reminded both communities of their agelong ties of affinity and brotherhood while calling on their traditional rulers and leaders to convene peacebuilding and conflict resolution dialogue meetings that would engender sustainable peaceful coexistence among them.
The group said, “The escalation of the crisis may adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of our people, more so during this COVID-19 pandemic and its debilitating social and economic challenges.”
It commended Governor Willie Obiano for his rapid response in ensuring calm in the affected communities.
Meanwhile, the duo of MrValentine Ozigbo and Hon Chris Azubogu, both governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have joined their voices in condemning the crisis which erupted in the area on Saturday.
Ozigbo, the immediate past President of Transcorp in a press statement on Sunday decried the recurring violence between both communities, describing the development as “entirely condemnable”, while suing for authorities to intervene and establish a lasting peace.
Azubogu, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in his own statement also condemned the crisis, describing the destruction of properties as inhuman.
“We are a republican people by nature who resolve disputes through community meetings; not wars. Killings and destruction of properties reduce our humanity and going forward, we should shun both as a means of conflict resolution.”
“No part of our state should be allowed to be engulfed in avoidable strife at a time we should be evolving strategies to keep our post-COVID-19 economy afloat, that will be too unfortunate. Incidentally, we are about to enter the farming season and a crisis like this can only be an invitation to hunger” he said.
