Tension is rising in Owerri North as residents of Ugakwoche in Egbule Obube community staged a protest over what they describe as a sweeping takeover of their ancestral farmland by the Imo State Government.
The community says about 200 hectares of farmland are under threat, with bulldozers reportedly moving into the area without consultation or agreement. Angry residents took to the streets on Wednesday, marching from their village square to the boundary of the affected land near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport road.
Dressed in black and carrying placards with emotional messages, men, women, youths, and elderly residents openly expressed distress, some breaking down in tears as they walked through the farmland they say has sustained generations.
Their placards carried messages such as “Our ancestral farmland is gone,” “No to land grabbers,” and “Our children’s future is in danger,” reflecting deep fears over the survival of their farming-based livelihood.
Community leaders insist the government never formally engaged them before the latest activity on the land. Pastor Cletus Opara, speaking on behalf of Ugakwoche village, said the situation became alarming after government agents allegedly entered the farmland and began clearing it without notice.
He argued that while the community had earlier released 100 hectares for a Nigerian Air Force base in the public interest, the latest encroachment on remaining farmland was unacceptable and lacked transparency.
Another leader, Hon. Kelechi Opara, linked the current dispute to earlier land allocations dating back to 2017, claiming portions of the land were previously taken, returned, and later re-disputed through government processes. He warned that continued pressure on the community could destabilise livelihoods and worsen insecurity.
The protesters called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently intervene, insisting that the community risks losing its only source of survival if the situation is not addressed.
But the state government has firmly rejected claims of a fresh land grab. The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, said the land in question was already acquired long ago for public development and that no new acquisition was taking place.
He explained that ongoing activity at the site relates to recovery and clearing of previously acquired land, some of which has been earmarked for infrastructure projects, including a power-related substation.
Another government official, Special Adviser on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, also dismissed the allegations, insisting the project is for public benefit and urging the community to formally engage government rather than protest.
He added that site plans for the development exist and that compensation arrangements have been mapped out in line with government procedures.
As both sides maintain opposing positions, the dispute has added fresh tension to ongoing debates over land acquisition, compensation, and rural development in Imo State.
