Pictures: The protesters
By Our Correspondent
Hundreds of youths, women, elders and community leaders from Enugwu Quarter in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Monday staged a peaceful protest over alleged land grabbing, intimidation and unlawful arrests.
The protesters accused the Traditional Ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu, of allegedly supporting disputed land claims by Umuenu Quarter, an allegation the monarch had not publicly responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the demonstrators appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene, warning that the lingering dispute was threatening peace and stability in the community.
Some of the placards read: “Eight of our youths are facing criminal charges in the High Court over false accusations,” “Governor Soludo, please suspend Igwe Joel Egwuonwu,” and “Igwe Joel Egwuonwu, stop using the Police to arrest Enugwu youths and label them terrorists and bandits.”
Addressing journalists during the protest, President General of Enugwu Quarters General Assembly, Hon. Nzekwe Chidozie, dismissed allegations that Enugwu was encroaching on Umuenu land, insisting that Enugwu was instead the victim of land encroachment.
He alleged that Umuenu’s boundary dispute was with Abo-Ani Awgbu in Orumba North Local Government Area and not with Enugwu Quarter in Umuawulu.
According to him, “The allegation that Enugwu people are grabbing Umuenu land is completely false. Rather, they are the ones encroaching on our ancestral land.
Umuenu’s boundary dispute is with Abo-Ani Awgbu, not Enugwu Umuawulu.”
Chairman of the Enugwu Infrastructure Development and Land Boundary Demarcation Committee, Dr. Azubuike Nkala, also maintained that Enugwu and Umuenu do not share a common boundary.
He said a physical survey conducted by the community showed that the disputed land was several miles away from Umuenu and that Enugwu’s recognised boundaries were with Abo-Ani Awgbu, the Mmamu Forest Reserve and Amaetiti.
Nkala further alleged that despite previous efforts by the state government to mediate the dispute, some Enugwu youths had allegedly been arrested and charged with offences including kidnapping, manslaughter and attempted murder.
Former President General of Enugwu Quarters, Nze Peter Nweke Ezeonyali, traced the crisis back to 1972 and warned that failure to resolve the dispute could further divide the community.
He appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene decisively and facilitate a lasting peace.
The protesters called on the state government to investigate the allegations, address the lingering land dispute and take urgent steps to prevent further escalation.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Igwe Joel Egwuonwu nor representatives of Umuenu Quarter had publicly responded to the allegations raised by the protesters.
