Picture: Enugwu-Agidi community members on the land
A community stakeholder, Prince (Dr) Chinedu Ikeanyi, has expressed concern over the reported presence of armed soldiers on communal land in Enugwu-Agidi, describing the situation as troubling and calling for clarity on the circumstances surrounding it.
He questioned the involvement of military personnel in a matter he described as a civil land dispute, noting that the Nigerian Constitution does not assign the armed forces a role in resolving such issues.
He also disclosed that the community leadership had made inquiries to relevant military formations but did not receive confirmation of any officially designated military project in the area, raising concerns about possible misunderstanding regarding the nature of the deployment.
According to him, tensions over land ownership in the community have been compounded by longstanding internal challenges, including disputes linked to land transactions and the activities of various interest groups.
He further noted that a new town union executive, elected on December 29, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Pius Nwankwo, has pledged to address land-related concerns and promote order within the community.
As part of its efforts, the new leadership reportedly directed that earth-moving equipment should not be brought into community lands without prior approval.
However, Ikeanyi alleged that land-clearing activities have continued, prompting renewed calls for dialogue and intervention.
The community leadership has appealed to Governor Charles Soludo and the Anambra State Government to look into the matter and help ensure that due process is followed by all parties, emphasizing their commitment to peace and lawful resolution of disputes.
In a separate development, a man said to be representing the developer, accompanied by a security escort, addressed residents in a video. He assured the community that the company would not encroach on land it had not legally acquired and would not relinquish land it believes it lawfully purchased.
He described the project as a developmental initiative and urged residents to remain patient while discussions continue.
Both sides have called for calm and expressed hope that the issues surrounding the land will be resolved amicably.
