• Lament intimidation, harassment
• Urges Gov. Uzodinma for immediate intervention
The Irete land owners of Imo Modern Market and Extension Layout, Owerri, on Wednesday staged a protest against the intimidation, harrasment, illegal demolition as well as unwarranted land grabbing of some Imo State Goverment agents.
The peaciful demonstration which over 200 men, women, and youths participated in took place along the ever busy Owerri–Onitsha Expressway at the Ezi-Irete axis, where the properties were located.
The protesters, chanting peaceful songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions, urged the Governor Uzodimma led administration for urgent intervention to avoid possible breakdown of law and order.
The protesters alleged that some top officials of the Imo State Government were involved in the land grabbing, and accused them of demolishing already existing buildings and destroying other established structures on their land.
The villagers, however, absolved Uzodimma of any wrongdoing, insisting that the governor, whom they described as “a man with a large heart,” may not be aware of the activities of his aides.
They appealed directly to him to caution those they called “land grabbers in government.”
Speakers at the protest, including the woman leader of the community, Lady Grace Ahana, alongside Sir Emma Ogbonna, who represented the men, and Mr. Chijioke Ahana, who spoke on behalf of the entire Ezi-Irete Community, condemned what they termed a forceful and unlawful acquisition of their land.
The speakers noted that the land belonged to the community, Ezi-Irete, and should not be seized under any guise.
According to them, they are on a peaceful demonstration to notify Governor Hope Uzodimma that some of his top government officials are grabbing their land;
“We are sure that the Governor has no hand in this, but some of his close aides are busy dispossessing us;
“By this protest, we appeal to him to call these officials to order and stop the injustice.”
It was gathered that the disputed land has in the past been renamed and allocated for different government projects, including “Mechanic Village Irete,” “Modern Market,” and “Nwaorie North Land.”
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “We have given too much land to the government of Imo State”.
“We have no land left for our children,” “Our land, our heritage,” “Stop the destructions,” “We want peace,” and “Governor Uzodimma, come to our rescue.”
Their chants echoed one major demand: “All we are saying, leave our lands alone!”
The people demonstration ended peacefully, with the people vowing to continue their agitation until justice is served and their community land is preserved.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, when contacted, confirmed awareness of the situation.
He explained that the state government’s findings revealed that the demolition in question was allegedly carried out by a certain developer, simply identified as Barr. Emmanuel Iheanychukwu Egenurum, also called Mr. Bambas and that he has no backing of Imo state government.
According to Barr. Onuegbu; ” the present administration under Governor Hope Uzodimma had no involvement in the said demolition”, he affirmed.
He, however, advised that if the people of Ezi-Irete Community believe that an individual is unlawfully encroaching on or grabbing their land, they should promptly report the matter to the government and the police for proper investigation and necessary action.
He further noted that if the villagers notice the involvement of any government official in such activities, they should immediately draw the attention of law enforcement agencies or directly approach the office of the Imo State Commissioner for Lands for clarification and resolution.
