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The Abia State Government says it will not tolerate illegal land hijacking or grabbing, especially one involving armed force.
The government also said the administration of Governor Alex Otti has zero-tolerance policy for illegal land encroachment.
Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu who gave the assurance when a high-powered delegation from Ikwuano led by His Royal Majesty, King Emmanuel O’tuwa the 1st, of Amaoba Ime Autonomous Community, Ikwuano LGA of Abia State called on him at Government House on Tuesday, said government is already investigating the development, pointing out that those responsible will face the full weight of the law.
He assured the delegation that he would personally report the volatile situation to Governor Alex Otti, for immediate response while commending His Royal Majesty, King Emmanuel O’tuwa 1st, for his relentless efforts in maintaining peace and preventing bloodshed.
Engr. Emetu said, “His Majesty’s leadership has been instrumental in keeping this situation from escalating into violence. The government will stand by him to ensure Amaoba’s land rights are fully protected.”
He called on the people of Amaoba to remain patient, assuring them that decisive government action is on the way.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, His Royal Majesty, King Emmanuel O’tuwa the 1st, of Amaoba Ime Autonomous Community, Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, said they were at Government House, to report the activities of land grabbers, calling on the State Government to take action to combat unlawful land grabbing.
King O’tuwa said what the delegation and the people of Amaoba, in Ikwuano LGA are demanding is urgent government intervention against land raiders hijacking Amaoba’s ancestral land at gunpoint.
According to the delegation, 100% of Government College Umuahia, ABSU Law School, and the majority of the NRCRI, along with more than 85% of MOUAU, rightfully belong to Amaoba.
They added that historical documents dating back to 1927 confirmed that the land was acquired from Amaoba for a Teachers’ Training School and was later converted to Government College Umudike in 1929, adding that the location was named Umudike due to its proximity to Umudike village.
King O’tuwa said the community cannot allow this lawlessness to continue, stressing that the people of Amaoba are peace-loving, but will not fold their hands while their land is forcefully taken, calling on the Abia State government to act now.
It was gathered that a small group of armed land raiders—about five individuals—have forcefully hijacked portions of Amaoba land, particularly in Ajata, at gun point. These same individuals had previously seized Government College land, which the state government demolished last year.
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