The Imo State Government has announced the commencement of a statewide exercise to recover government-owned lands allegedly acquired or occupied illegally, warning that structures erected on such properties will be demolished and those responsible prosecuted.
The government said the enforcement follows earlier public notices directing individuals in unlawful possession of government lands to vacate the affected properties. It added that the exercise is aimed at restoring order in land administration and protecting public assets across the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri.
According to the statement, the recovery exercise will affect several government layouts, including Redemption Estates 1, 2, 3 and 4 owned by the Imo Housing Corporation, Area P in New Owerri, Area T, Area K (Alaoma Layout), Paradise Layout (Ottamiri North), Ottamiri South, Naze Industrial Layout, Ogbaku Estate Layout, as well as other government-owned layouts across the state.
Nwaneri warned that enforcement would begin immediately, stressing that any fences, partitions or structures found on illegally occupied government land would be removed without further notice.
The government also vowed to prosecute individuals involved in the alleged illegal allocation, sale or forgery of land documents used to facilitate the acquisition of government property.
According to the statement, the exercise is part of the state’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard public property, improve land administration and protect the interests of law-abiding residents.
The Imo State Government advised prospective land buyers, property developers and members of the public to verify the authenticity of land titles through the appropriate government agencies before purchasing any property to avoid legal complications arising from the ongoing recovery exercise.
Authorities also urged residents to refrain from engaging in illegal land transactions, warning that anyone found violating the law would face the full weight of legal sanctions.
