Hundreds of people of Nguru Nsukka, in the Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State took to the street on Saturday, protesting destruction of their farm crops and alleged forceful acquisition of their ancestral land by the government.
A combined team of security operatives took over the disputed land in the early hours of Saturday, apparently to stop the scheduled protest.
However, the aggrieved Nguru indigenes, who gathered at the Igwe’s palace, later marched round, expressing their anger over the manner the local government chairman, Mr. Asogwa, was handling the disagreement.
The chairman's actions, the community alleged, were in stark contrast to the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, known for its commitment to the rule of law and due process.
The President General of the Community, Chief Builder Ugwu Ignatius, the Chairman Nguru Youths Association, Mr Ozioko Ejiofor, and one other community leader, High Chief Ozioko Thomas Obute, all spoke to the media, decrying the alleged refusal of the council chairman to hold any form of discussion or enter into agreement with them before taking over their land.
According to them, whereas they were not against the government carrying out development activities, there were laid down procedures to acquire community land, which they said were not followed in this instance.
While asserting ownership of the land, they said Odoro Nsukka was not a recognised autonomous community with ancestral land in the area in question.
“That land rightfully belongs to Nguru Nsukka, and we will not remain silent while others attempt to falsify history and claim ownership.
“Moreover, the conduct of the Local Government Chairman has been unprofessional, high-handed, and clearly shows a lack of respect for due process.
“We previously informed him that no government agency has approached Nguru Nsukka for land acquisition, and no discussions have been held regarding terms or compensation.
“Until proper procedures are followed, including a written Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), nothing will happen on our land.
“The Chairman’s attempt to destroy our farmland, including crops such as ose (pepper), tomatoes, garden eggs, cucumbers, and others, is unacceptable.
“We will not be intimidated or bullied into surrendering our ancestral land. We demand that both the state government and the local government chairman respect our community, our rights, and our traditions.
“While the state government is reportedly engaging in genuine and peaceful negotiations with the Nru community through proper channels, the Local Government Chairman is instead using intimidation tactics against Nguru,” they claimed.
The community also said there was at least unused 80 hectares of land acquired by the government directly opposite the disputed land, wondering why it was not deployed for the said market development.
They added that, “it is also perplexing that, despite claiming to champion development, the same government has vast plots of land acquired during the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, located between Nru Nsukka, Ede-Oballa, and Ehalumona, that remain unused.
“These areas could accommodate multiple international markets.”
They called on Governor Peter Mbah “to urgently call the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government to order and to ensure that proper procedures are followed moving forward.
“We also appeal to the Nigerian Police to protect the people of Nguru Nsukka from further intimidation, harassment, and abuse of power.”
The Council Chairman, Mr Jude Asogwa, when contacted on telephone denied the allegations.
"Yes we are developing an international market after the state government demolished part of the Ogige Nsukka Market for bus terminal. So we invited all the communities that have interest in the land in question and explained to them the need for the market. They all agreed except the Nguru Community."
He, however, claimed that all the people that their farms and crops were affected had been paid compensations. "I have their list, and the least person was paid N200,000. The governor is coming to launch the ground breaking on Saturday August 2," he revealed.
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