By Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
The Umuapu Community in Ohaji/Egbema council area of Imo State has appealed on Governor Hope Uzodimma to call those responsible for forceful invation/acquisition of their ancestral farm land to order
The appeal came during an enlarged meeting of leaders, elders, ndi Nzes, Na Ozors,the chief priest,the women and youths of Umuokom/Umuogbuehi- Umuapu , held on Friday at the Community.
Addressing newsmen during the meeting,the former lawmaker that represented Ohaji/Egbema state constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly Hon. Luke Chukwu advised the Governor to set up committee of inquiry to carry out whollistice investigation sorounding the land issue.
Hon. Chukwu insisted that failure by the Governor to do the needful would warrant the community to match on the road on protest to convey their grevances.
He said: “we believe Governor do not know what is happening, but let his people read the newspapers and tell him what the people of Umuapu is saying”.
The former lawmaker insisted that the 500 hecters of land in question located along Owerri/Port Harcourt express high way at a boundary with Nkaraha community belong to Umuogbuehi village in Umuapu Community and cannot be claimed by one person.
The two time Executive Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema LGA recalled how the people Nkaraha came to Umuogbuehi village in Umuapu years back to beg for a portion of land to farm before the Federal Government through National Roots Crops who later on pulled out of the land acquired the land
He further stated that it was the same period that CEO of Marcon Group of Companies came to acquire the land under liease arrangements for 30 years which was later renewed for another 30years.
He outrightly condemned the claims by one Chinedu Apkelu as the owner of the whole land whoes father Matthew Apkelu had died after talking a false oat and puring of libation along side the people of Umuapu community and some traditional rulers in the state.
Chukwu who frownd at the forceful invasion of the land by the land grabbers with tugs, security personnel, and bulldozer without the consent of the community allegedly orchestrated by government,he expressed worries that the plans of government is to use the land for RUGA for Fulani cattle rearers which rather than bring any benefits to the community, will bring more danger and fears.
He regreted that the people of Ohaji who are predominently farmers have in the past donated larger expanse of farm lands for developmental purposes and institution yet without any benefits.
Earlier in his speech, the Obikwu of Umuapu Community, Hycient Onyema enphyasied that the ancestral land in question belong to Umuogbuehi villege as the case may be
He said that before the invasion of the ancestral land, the people of the community have being cultivating on the land which has being the majore source of foods for their family members for years
He regreted that the people of Nkaraha whom they have never had issue with have now come to take over the land forcefully.
He recalled how Matthew Apkelu the acclaimed owner of the land died few days after taking an oat.
The Obikwu advised the people he described as land grabbers to desist from the land because it does not belong to them.
He said: “the people of Nkaraha and Umuapu have never had issues before in the past”.
The Vice President of Obiwuruotu Women Association, Umuapu,Mrs. Rosemary Ajoku said that they are ready to die over the said land.
She said as farmers, they are not happy about the situation adding that the forceful acquisition of the land will deny them access to theur accrstral lands where they farm to produce food to eat
The women appealed to people responsible for the illegal and forceful acquisition of the land to leave the land for their own interest.
