Residents of Ugakwoche in Egbule Obube, Owerri North Local Government Area, have voiced strong opposition to what they describe as the unlawful seizure of their ancestral land by the Imo State Government. The community, comprising farmers, youth, elders, and women, organized a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday to halt the government’s move to take over their remaining farmland covering roughly 200 hectares.
The protesters, dressed in black and carrying placards, marched from their village square to the farmland bordering the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport road. Many wept and fell to the ground as they expressed their anguish. Their placards bore messages like “All our land in Ugakwoche is gone,” “Stop land grabbing,” “Governor, please save us,” “Our people are under attack,” “Our ancestral farmland is lost,” “Our children have no future,” “We have no other farm land,” and “Don’t let our youths turn to crime due to lack of farmland.”
Reacting swiftly, the State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, denied the allegations, asserting that the government had already acquired the land long ago for development projects and that no fresh acquisition was taking place.
Pastor Cletus Opara, chairman of Ugakwoche village, speaking on behalf of the community, expressed disappointment that the government had not engaged in any dialogue or signed a memorandum of understanding before moving into their land. He described the Good Friday incursion as an insult to the peaceful people of the area. “We are protesting peacefully because of the government’s action of sending agents to bulldoze our remaining ancestral farmland without any prior notice or agreement. Earlier, they took 100 hectares for a Nigerian Air Force base, which we allowed for public interest. Now they want the rest without negotiation or due process—this will destroy our means of survival,” Opara said.
Hon. Kelechi Opara, another community leader, condemned the government’s actions, accusing it of a deliberate scheme to turn the people into refugees on their own land. He pointed out that the community depends on farming for its livelihood. He explained that the land had been initially acquired in 2017 by former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who took 200 hectares, giving 100 hectares to the Air Force. The remaining land was returned to the community by a panel set up by Governor Emeka Ihedioha. A 2020 White Paper and Gazette directed the Ministry of Lands to reclaim the 100 hectares improperly given to third parties and return them to the original owners. “But now the same government comes without warning to take even our residential areas. We appeal to the governor to protect us from this destruction,” he added.
Commissioner Onuegbu reiterated that the ongoing work was not a new acquisition but a recovery and clearing of land already belonging to the government for development. He advised the community, through their traditional ruler Eze Jude Nworgu, to formally write to the governor for consideration under the Land Use Act. “I cannot be called a land grabber for doing my job. In my own community, Mbaishii in Ngor Okpala, the government acquired 2,000 hectares under former Governor Achike Udenwa, and we still live there. Under the Land Use Act, the governor holds all land in trust for public purposes,” he said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, also refuted claims of land grabbing. He urged the community to engage the governor formally, showing a government site plan indicating that the remaining land is earmarked for an Orashi Power Station substation, which he said is for the public good.