Land owners in several parts of Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have called on the state government to intervene in what they described as illegal encroachment and land grabbing.
The affected areas include Onuojukwu land Ezinifite village, Agunenwe land Ezinifite, Agunenwe land Okochi, and Adakamulunwa land Ezinifite, all located behind the new Government House in Awka. The land owners staged a peaceful protest, alleging that some of the individuals involved in the land grabbing have connections to the government and are using proxies to take over the lands.
Mr Emma Ezeobi, one of the protesters, said that the lands in question were acquired legally between 2007 and 2012 with proper documentation, but unknown persons have started erecting new fences and structures after pulling down existing ones. He added that efforts to reclaim the land have resulted in arrests and police harassment.
Another affected land owner, Mr Anthony Igwebuike Agbo, a 65-year-old retired military officer from Awka, expressed disappointment over the situation. He lamented that the land he purchased with his savings is now under threat, and stressed the need for the government to act urgently. He also noted that the original sellers of the land have denied involvement in the current situation.
Mrs Oluchi Onyekachi, another land owner, linked the crisis to the rapid development in the area following the construction of the new Government House. She said the land grabbers have taken advantage of this to seize farmlands and destroy economic trees.
The land owners stated that they had previously reported the matter to the Traditional Ruler of Okpuno and the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Lands but are yet to see any concrete action.
