Worried by the massive acquisition of their ancestral farmland measuring approximately 200 hectares by the Imo State Government, the people of Ugakwoche in Egbule Obube community, Owerri North Local Government Area, staged a peaceful protest demanding that the government halt the move to acquire their remaining farmland.
Members of the community, comprising adults, youths, elderly men and women, on Wednesday marched from their village square to the over two-kilometre stretch of the affected farmland, which borders the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport road. Dressed in black attire and wielding placards, they cried and rolled on the ground to express their pain.
Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as: “All the land belonging to Ugakwoche is gone,” “No to land grabbers,” “Your Excellency, please come to our rescue,” “Our people are under siege,” “Our ancestral farmland is gone,” “Our children’s future is in danger,” “We don’t have another land to farm,” and “Do not bring criminality to our community due to lack of farmland for our youths.”
However, in a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, dismissed the claims, stating that the government had acquired the land long ago for development purposes. He added that there was no fresh acquisition at the location.
Speaking on behalf of Ugakwoche village, its chairman, Pastor Cletus Opara, lamented that there was no formal discussion or memorandum of understanding between the government and the community regarding the acquisition of their remaining farmland. He described the alleged entry into their land on Good Friday last month as an aberration and an affront to the peace-loving people of the area.
He said: “We are here on a peaceful demonstration to register our anger over the government’s action of using its agents to enter our remaining ancestral farmland and begin bulldozing without prior information or any memorandum of understanding with the community.
“They had earlier acquired 100 hectares of our land for a Nigerian Air Force base, and because it was in the public interest, we allowed it. But returning now to acquire the remaining farmland without negotiation or due process means they want to destroy our livelihood.
“We were surprised because they never contacted us. This is not how to take people’s land by force. We are calling on Governor Hope Uzodimma to come to our rescue. Our children’s future is at stake. If the government does not intervene, it may create room for criminality and kidnapping in our area.”
Another community leader, Hon. Kelechi Opara, also condemned the government’s action, accusing it of a deliberate plan to render the people refugees in their own land. He noted that the community consists largely of peasant farmers whose only source of livelihood is being threatened.
According to him, the land in question was initially acquired in 2017 by former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who took 200 hectares and donated 100 hectares to the Nigerian Air Force for a base. The remaining portion, he said, was returned to the community by a panel of enquiry set up by Okorocha’s successor, Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
He added that the 2020 White Paper/Gazette directed the state government, through the Ministry of Lands, to recover the 100 hectares allegedly given to third parties without due process and return them to the original owners.
“To our greatest surprise, the same Imo State Government is here again, without notice, to take our remaining land—even extending to where we live. We appeal to the governor, who listens to his people, to save us from this method of annihilation,” he said.
Reacting, Commissioner Onuegbu reiterated that the exercise was not a fresh acquisition but the recovery and clearing of land already acquired by the government for developmental purposes.
He said: “It is the recovery and clearing of the said 100 hectares that is currently ongoing, not a new acquisition, except for areas already designated as compensation for the native landowners. I am aware of the protests and have advised them, through their traditional ruler, Eze Jude Nworgu, to formally write to His Excellency for consideration under the Land Use Act.
“How can I be a land grabber for performing my duty as commissioner for lands? In my own community, Mbaishii in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, the Imo State Government under former Governor Achike Udenwa acquired 2,000 hectares, and we are still living there. Under the Land Use Act, the Governor is the custodian of all land in the state and can allocate it for public purposes.”
Also reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, denied allegations of land grabbing and urged the community to formally engage the governor.
“I will show you a copy of the government’s acquisition site plan. The remaining portion of the land has been mapped out for the construction of a substation for the Orashi Power Station. It is for the public good,” he stated.
