BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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The people of Umuedum Community, Amuri in Nkanu West Local Government , Area of Enugu State have warned some suspected land grabbers disguising themselves as estate developers to steer clear of their only remaining Umuedum land close to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTH).
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The natives, who staged a peaceful protest on Sunday, said the land was the only place left for them for farming after the construction of ESUTH.
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Going down memory lane, the protesters made up of aged men and women as well as young people, said a chunk of their land was taken away from them by the administration of former Governor Chimaraoke Nnamani for construction of the permanent site of ESUTH without compensation.
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They called on the state and local government to wade into the matter, maintaining the land which they said they have been using for farming is not for sale to any person or organization.
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Speaking with journalist on the matter, Chief Chilota Chukwu popularly known as Triple Chief in Amuri said all the natives of Umuedum decided to inform the government and other people about what is happening as regards the land.
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Chukwu appealed to the state and local governments to wade into the matter and prevent people from selling the land.
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He added that some people want to cause problem but they have resolved that they do not want to cause problem hence their decision to inform the government and other people through the media.
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Also speaking, Onyekachi Okafor Egbo called on the government to and assist them and stop the land grabbers from selling the land, noting that the land is the only property left for them after a chunk of their land was collected by ESUTH during the administration of Chimaraoke Nnamani.
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He insisted that they do not have any dispute with anybody on the land, stating that the land belongs to Umuedumin community in Amuri.
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A titled chief, Vitus Owo, who also participated in the protest that took place on the land said they inherited the land from their forefathers, adding that during the construction of ESUTH, most of the land belonging to Umuedum was taken away.
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He alleged that people who call themselves estate developers are already trespassing on the land and warned them to retrace their steps.
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Owo alleged further that some people are trying to convive with some people to sell the land without their consent hence their decision to stage the peaceful protest.
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A woman identified as Virginia Agunwaokowa who also participated in the protest, noted that they have been farming on the land for years and appealed to government not to allow those who may be bigger than them to overpower them and sell their land.
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” Government should help us, we heard that some people want to sell it, ESUTH is Umuedum land and they collected it from us without compensation, they should leave our land alone, ” she lamented.
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Contributing, the traditional prime Minister of Amankanu Amuri autonomous community maintained that the land belongs to Umuedum, adding that they have been using it for farming.
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The traditional prime Minister said they do not want land grabbers and fraudulent people to sell the land and pleaded with the government to come to their rescue.
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