Anambra community protested at the Ministry of Land over land-grabbing issues
The members of Ifite village which is situated in Enugwu-Agidi, under Njikoka Local Government in Anambra State, were out in multitudes protesting over the incessant land-grabbing at the Ministry of Land. They could no longer bear seeing some individuals in the community forcefully claim and hijack their lands and had to see the intervention of relevant authorities.
The frustrated villagers then planned a protest and marched to the Ministry of Lands in Awka, and accused the commissioner of having a hand in several land-related offenses.
After they were done airing their minds at the Ministry of Land, they marched down to the Government House in Awka where they also accused the Management of a Real Estate & Investment company and a security organization in the area, of hijacking their lands.
The protesters' spokesperson, Mr. Benjamin Ejinaka said, “Our major aim of this protest is to express our grievances and dissatisfaction over what has been going on in our community and our lands, as well as to seek the intervention of the appropriate authority, to ensure the right thing is done.”
In response to the protesters' cries, the Surveyor-General of the state, in the name of Anthony Idigo, assured the protesters that their grievances had been noted and solutions would be proffered to it. He further said that the Commissioner would soon set up a roundtable meeting to resolve the disputes the the concerned individuals. From there, every necessary action would be taken to ensure that everything is settled amicably.
Also, one of the directors of the accused real estate company was contacted regarding the company's recent actions. The director stated that the company followed due procedures to acquire the lands legally and that the majority belonged to the government. A few which belonged to individuals from the Ifite Community were also paid for.
