‘Our Land is Disappearing’ Community Cries, Seeks Abia Govt’s Intervention

Indigenes of Umunenweze community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have appealed to the State government to intervene in what they described as the steady loss of their ancestral lands to developers and alleged land grabbers.

They made the appeal when they staged a peaceful protest to Government House Umuahia on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Okechukwu Uzuegbu, Secretary to the Umunenweze community, accused one Eze Paul, whom he claimed had been removed from office by a court judgment, of facilitating the transfer of community lands under the guise of government acquisition.

“Our land is disappearing, large portions of it have been bulldozed and destroyed by people brought into the community. We feel helpless watching our ancestral inheritance being taken away,” he lamented.

Uzuegbu alleged that one of the disputed lands was handed over to a developer identified as Mr. Okechukwu Ndukwe from Amuzukwu, despite a court injunction that reportedly restricted any activity on the land except farming.

“We went to court and secured an injunction on that land. Nobody was supposed to sell it or develop it, yet everything on the land has been destroyed.

“We discovered that people who are not from our village were presented as our chairman and secretary and made to sign documents. That was when we realised something was wrong. We wrote several letters asking that the process be stopped,” Uzuegbu said.

The Protesters also raised concerns over another parcel of land that previously housed a school serving the larger Nkwoegwu community.

According to them, after the school was relocated, rumours emerged that the government had acquired the land.

However, the people of Umunenweze claimed their investigations revealed that individuals who were not recognised leaders of the village allegedly signed documents on behalf of the community.

The protesters said they decided to take their grievances directly to government after previous efforts failed to produce results.

“We are saying no to land grabbing and the continued sale of our communal lands. We want Governor Otti to help us recover what belongs to us and stop the allocation of our lands to people outside the community,” Uzuegbu added.

Responding to the protesters, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Magdalene Ugoanusi, acknowledged that government had previously received complaints about the matter and assured the community that their concerns would be looked into.

“I remember this matter was brought to the attention of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba and other government officials.

“With your presence here today, I will personally follow it up and ensure the appropriate authorities are informed that the situation has taken a new dimension,” Ugoanusi assured.

She commended the community for choosing peaceful protest rather than confrontation.

Ugoanusi, however, advised the protesters to formally document their complaints and submit a detailed petition to the state government.

She further appealed to residents to remain law-abiding while government reviews the matter.