Residents of Umunenweze Okpuala community marched to the Abia State Government House on Wednesday. They came to protest the alleged seizure and illegal sale of their ancestral lands.
The villagers are from Okaigu in Umuahia North Local Government Area. They're calling on Governor Alex Otti to intervene urgently in the matter.
Community members have accused their traditional ruler, Eze Paul Onuigbo Uzuegbu, and others of submitting fake documents to state authorities. According to the protesters, these forged letters falsely claim the villagers consented to land sales.
Multiple plots of land have been forcefully sold or given to private estate developers, residents say. The community claims it's lost property meant for current and future generations.
Okechukwu Uzuegbu, the community's secretary, spoke on behalf of the protesters at the government house. He alleged that bulldozers hired by developers destroyed farms and economic trees without permission from landowners.
"Those grabbing our lands are writing false letters and forged documents to government," Uzuegbu stated. He warned that further trespassing would be seen as deliberate provocation to violence.
Magdalene Ugoanusi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Otti, addressed the protesting crowd. She represents the governor's office on local government and chieftaincy matters.
Ugoanusi urged the villagers against using violence to resolve the dispute. She said a letter about the issue had previously reached the Chief of Staff's office.
In her words, the state government will look into the matter again. Officials have promised to examine all the facts before taking action.
Ugoanusi asked community members to compile their grievances in writing. They should submit the list to Abia State government for proper investigation.
Federal lawmaker Obi Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano and Umuahia, will be brought into discussions. His role will be to help broker a peaceful end to the land crisis.
