By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The people of Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State have cried out over alleged forceful seizure of ancestral lands by the Military, beckons on Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene.
They made the call on Thursday when they embarked on a peaceful protest to the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Land Recovery, Hon. Prince Nwakanma, to table their complaints.
The aged men, and women, among others who were part of the protest carried placards inscribed, ” Nigerian Army and J.P.K Anyanwu Are Now Chasing Us Out Of Our Ancestral Lands By Selling The Lands”, “Army And Galaxy Estate Stop Selling Out Ancestral Lands”, “Our Productive Community No Longer Have Space For Farming Or Building Because Of The Nigerian Army”, “We are Pleading To Our Loving Governor To Intervene And Give Us Justice”.
They further presented a Communique signed by the Chief Sir Sam Jack Ihezuo (KSJI) (Village Head of Amakohia Mgbirichi), Comrade G.C. Ibeawuchi (Oji-Ofo of Amakohia Mgbirichi),Uchendu Orie (Secretary Amakohia Mgbirichi Umunna Family Meeting), Engr. Okechukwu Agulanna (Chairman Amakohia Mgbirichi Umunna Family Meeting), Bartholomew Akalanze (Amakohia Mgbirichi), Nze Remigius O. Opara (Village Head of Umuoti/Umuezu Mgbirichi), Samuel Nkwocha (Umuoti/Umuezu Mgbirichi), Chinedu Amaefula (Umuoti/Umuezu Mgbirichi).
The Communique which is captioned “SUBMISSION OF A PASSIONATE APPEAL FOR INTERVENTION IN RESPECT OF ARMY OCCUPIED LAND AT MGBIRICHI IN OHAJI/ EGBEMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OBINZE AND OFOROLA IN OWERRI WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE”, reads:
“With utmost sincerity and humility Sir, we your loyal subjects write to humbly appeal for your intervention over our ancestral land occupied by 34 Army Brigade Obinze commonly referred to as Army Land which embraces the lands of Amakohia and Umuoti/Umuezu Villages in Mgbirichi in Ohaii/Egbema Local Government Area, Obinze and Oforola in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
“Sir, without the knowledge of our fathers or any form of consultation or prior information, our rich agricultural land was taken in the 1970s through aerial survey. In the early 1980s, it dawned on us that we have been divested of our ancestral heritage which provides life line to the affected communities because we are peasant farmers.
“This deprivation has led to so much sufferings, pains, depression and frustration to untimely death as most families can no longer afford to earn a Iiving for the sustenance of life. To worsen the whole situation Sir, no compensation of any sort was given to us, neither was any palliative made available to the people to cushion the effect of this unjust and monumental deprivation. And for over forty years we have been struggling to survive.
“Sir, while we are bemoaning over the initial acquisition, the Army overlapped and occupied more of our lands right up to the back yard of our houses. As it stands now, there is no more space for the present and future generations to expand. As a result of this excess, the three towns are now faced with difficult land-locked situation which is inimical to the progress and development of our society.
“On the right axis alone of the occupied land where the Army Barrack is located, a large swath of 1,058 hectares was occupied going by the 1977/78 survey map but only about 180 hectares is occupied since more than forty (40) years ago.
“Sir, recently, the Army has started clearing and parcellating the land right inside our back yards through the services of an Estate Developer. The Developer have started selling off our ancestral lands to individuals and corporate organizations contrary to the sole purpose or Army Barracks acquisition. In the course of this present clearing and parcellation, the buildings and houses of some individuals has been bulldozed and destroyed. We are helpless in this predicament.
“Sir, the host communities of Mgbirichi, Obinze and Oforola that own the Army Land commonly referred to as Army Barracks Obinze have co-existed peacefully, happily and cooperatively with the Army right from inception till date. We are proud to be one of the most peaceful communities in Imo State.
“Sir, we hereby with humble breath and upon our bended knees as our father and in your widely recognized sense of justice and equity coupled with your superlative administrative acumen beg you to intervene in this ugly situation we found ourselves by using your good office and position to ensure;
“That the Army limit themselves to the sole purpose of the acquisition, i.e. building of military barracks and release the excess occupied land to us.
“The land was not made for them as Estate, to sell and make profits while the owners who are peasant farmers are striped naked without any room for expansion or farming.
“The payment of adequate compensation for the land acquired in 1977/78 i.e over forty (40) years ago.
“That the Army limit themselves to the initial acquisition of 1978/1979 and release back the overlapped area to us, ‘ they averred’.
In response, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Land Recovery, Hon. Prince Nwakanma, who was present to receive the people, assured them of relating their plights to the governor.
He also made them understand that if there complaints are the true situation of things in the area, then the military officials will be called to order, but if the reverse is the case, then the State Government cannot do anything about it.
He further pleaded with them to continue to maintain peace, order and allow them look into the matter, adding that he is promising to get back to them in seven (7) days time.
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