It was another day of anger, anxiety and rage in Enugu community as the indigenes numbering over fifty took to the streets in protests against alleged illegal forceful takeover of their land by Nsukka local government chairman.
Indigenes of Nguru Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State while protesting on July 26 condemned what they termed alleged forceful acquisition of their ancestral land by the council boss.
They were also accusing the Nsukka Local Government authorities of taking their land by force without following due process.
According to them, under the guise of constructing an international market, the council authority was bent on grabbing their land without holding any form of discussion with them.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that a combined team of security operatives took over the disputed land in the early hours of Saturday, with intention to stop a scheduled protest by the community members.
However, the aggrieved Nguru indigenes, who gathered at the Igwe’s palace, later marched round, expressing their anger over the manner the local government chairman, Mr. Jude Asogwa was reportedly handling the disagreement.
According to them, the chairman’s actions were in stark contrast to the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, known for its commitment to the rule of law and due process.
The President General of the Community, Chief Builder Ugwu Ignatius, the Chairman Nguru Youths Association, Mr Ozioko Ejiofor, and one other community leader, High Chief Ozioko Thomas Obute, all spoke to the media, decrying the alleged refusal of the council chairman to hold any form of discussion or enter into agreement with them before taking over their land.
In their separate speeches, they said that whereas they were not against the government carrying out development activities in their community, there were laid down procedures to acquire community land, which they said were not followed in this instance.
While asserting ownership of the land, they said Odoro Nsukka was not a recognized autonomous community with ancestral land in the area in question.
“That land rightfully belongs to Nguru Nsukka, and we will not remain silent while others attempt to falsify history and claim ownership.
“Moreover, the conduct of the Local Government Chairman has been unprofessional, high-handed, and clearly shows a lack of respect for due process.
“We previously informed him that no government agency has approached Nguru Nsukka for land acquisition, and no discussions have been held regarding terms or compensation.
“Until proper procedures are followed, including a written Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), nothing will happen on our land.
“The Chairman’s attempt to destroy our farmland, including crops such as ose (pepper), tomatoes, garden eggs, cucumbers, and others, is unacceptable.
“We will not be intimidated or bullied into surrendering our ancestral land. We demand that both the State Government and the Local Government Chairman respect our community, our rights, and our traditions.
“While the State Government is reportedly engaging in genuine and peaceful negotiations with the Nru community through proper channels, the Local Government Chairman is instead using intimidation tactics against Nguru,” they claimed.
Expressing their shock over the new development, the community also said there was at least unused 80 hectares of land acquired by the government directly opposite the disputed land and wondered why it was not marked for the said market development.
They added that, “it is also perplexing that, despite claiming to champion development, the same government has vast plots of land acquired during the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, located between Nru Nsukka, Ede-Oballa, and Ehalumona, that remain unused.
“These areas could accommodate multiple international markets.”
They called on Governor Peter Mbah “to urgently call the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government to order and to ensure that proper procedures are followed moving forward.
“We also appeal to the Nigerian Police to protect the people of Nguru Nsukka from further intimidation, harassment, and abuse of power.”
WITHIN NIGERIA investigations showed that Nsukka communities are not alien to incident of alleged illegal acquisition by the local government council.
In 2008, the then council chairman, Barr. Anthony Ugwu was also accused of illegal acquisition by Nru community while clearing tens of plots of land for the proposed Ikpa Community market.
After many months of running battle with the indigenes and landowners of the Ikpa commodity market, the construction eventually took effect.
In the meantime, all efforts to get the reactions of local government council proved abortive as he was not picking his calls.
In a text message was also sent to him for his reaction to the claims by the community. But as of the time of this report, no response has come from him.
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