Protest by community leaders and youths of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, one of the host communities of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, over alleged annexation and demolition of properties on a parcel of land by authorities of the institution, has generated tension that could snowball into a full blown crisis if not arrested in earnest, LEADERSHIP garthered on Monday.
Angry community leaders, who called out the youths for a peaceful protest over alleged encroachment on the community land, warned the University to “stop forthwith the penchant to illegally acquire lands belonging to the village.”
Speaking against the backdrop of fresh destruction of property in parts of the village, allegedly carried out by the University, the protesters lamented that “UNIUYO has constantly gone outside its boundaries to amass our lands.”
The chairman of the Village Council, Comrade Morris Bassey; the Secretary, Elder Domingo Bassey Etim, and the President of the Youth Council of Ekpri Nsukara, Otuekong Emem Asikpo, who spoke separately, noted that UNIUYO has not reciprocated the community’s friendly gestures as one of its host communities.
They recalled that under the cover of darkness, the management of the institution dispatched its bulldozer to carry out wanton destruction of people’s properties in the village recently.
“We are distressed that the authorities of the University of Uyo has not respected the clearly demarcated boundaries with Ekpri Nsukara Offot community. We say so based on the ugly experiences with the institution for some years now.
“A case at hand is that on Monday, April 17, 2023 at about 11pm, the university moved in to trespass on our land. The authorities sent Bulldozer into the adjoining lands which belonged to our community to destroy fences and houses under construction, which are owned by individuals.
“We have approached the University through the Chief Security Officer (CSO) Mr. Inyang Asuquo, to enquire about the latest action but they disclaimed the action as not coming from the institution. However, credible intelligence has it that the Bulldozer used in the operation emanated from the institution and also exited through the main campus. We see such action as a deliberate attempt by the University to forcefully acquire our land despite the large acreage of land already voluntarily conceded to the institution.
“We recall a particular instance in 2020 where similar actions of encroachments were carried out and properties belonging to several persons were destroyed by the University.
“These despicable activities by the University of Uyo prompted our community to institute a Court action in suit No. HU/337/2015 against them. Surprisingly, despite the pendency of the litigation in the Court, the University has not stopped its illegal acts of infringing on our lands,” Morris Bassey said.
He recalled that “some time ago, at the instance of Akwa Ibom State Government, a reconciliatory meeting was convened with the authority of the University of Uyo and attended by eminent government officials and the Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area in attendance,” but regretted that the situation persisted.
