Over 100 youths in Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, Aniocha South local government area of Delta State have protested against the activities of land grabbers from neighbouring communities.
They accused land merchants from the neighbouring Ibusa community, Oshimili South LGA, of infiltrating their land, making it impossible for farmers to access their farmland, just as hunters are finding it difficult to access the forests and bushes.
The protesters who carried placards with different inscriptions such as, “LGA Help Our Farmers and Hunters From Molestation and Intimidation On Our Farmlands”, “We Say No To Ibusa Land Grabbers,” “Help Us Restore Dignity,” had trooped out from Umuokwe, Umuneze, Umuonicha and Umu-Isagba Ogai all of Ogbe- Okwu as well as Ogbe Ahu/Ogbe Ani and Ogbe Ofu axis of the community, whose land has allegedly been taken over by the merchants.
Led by the president general of Ogwashi Uku Youth Development Association (OYDA), Comrade Stanley Chiedu, they took their grievances to the palace of the kingdom.
Speaking during the protest, Chiedu called on relevant authorities to aid the people of Ogwashi Uku as their inheritance has been taken in a broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.
“For over a long time, the respective farmers have been molested, their farm produce destroyed by elements suspected to be land grabbers from Ibusa Community.
“Today, they have decided to cry out to government authorities, security agencies and traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku for help. I’m standing to address Ogwashi Uku indigenes, our neighbours, Delta state at large and Nigeria that what is happening today in Ogwashi Uku bush is an eyesore, where people can no longer go to their farm safely, where our inheritance has been taken in broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.
“Our only source of livelihood is farming as we are aware and today we can no longer farm.
Our brothers and youths on daily basis are being chased away, our women are being chased, our hunters can no longer hunt and these are what we are known for.
“We call on the local government chairman, the area commander, the DPO, the prescribed authority for Ogwashi-Uku to come to our aid today because as it stands we can no longer take what is happening in the bush. We are aware that the Ogwashi Uku people are law-abiding.
“We are also aware that the government is aware of our patience over a long period of time. And that is why we have taken this step today, that in every democratic environment, peaceful protest is the only way to express whatever grievances you have.
“I urge the youths as you demonstrate, be peaceful as you agitate, be constructive,” Chiedu said.
Responding, the secretary to the Obi ln Council, Prince Ifeakanachuku Emordi said that land issues between Ogwashi Uku and Ibusa would be amicably resolved through legal process just as he commended the youths for their peaceful disposition .
At the local government secretariat, the chairman, Pastor Jude Chukuweike, represented by the secretary of the council, Prince Tony Ebube, explained to the protesters the efforts made so far by the local administration to find a lasting solution to the boundary problems between the two communities.
Ebube said the chairman was working in synergy with his Oshimili north counterpart to bring an enduring solution to the crisis.
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