Abia Community Stages Protest, Alleges Plot By FHA To Forcefully Grab Ancestral Land (Photos, Video)

The people of Umuawa Alaocha in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State have accused the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of attempts to forcefully grab their ancestral land which they said is their only means of livelihood.

Community members who staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday said they are not prepared to give out their communal land.

The protesters comprising women, youths, and other leaders, displayed different placards, some of which warned of hunger if their lands were taken away from them.

Addressing Journalists during the protest, the immediate past President General of Umuawa, Chukwuma Abraham, and the President of Umuezerola community, Nduka Ogwumike made it clear that the members of the communities have not been notified of any plans to acquire their community lands.

They said that there were strong rumours that a few powerful individuals from the community had been settled to surrender community lands, even without their knowledge and consent.

According to the members of the community, the lands in question belong to different autonomous communities that make up Umuawa Alaocha and also some private individuals who bought lands in the areas.

The community members expressed surprise that announcements on radio stations in Abia State are claiming that the members of the community have been briefed about the acquisition plans, even when no such briefing happened.

While they said that they are not against government’s development programs, they called for transparent engagement and proper sensitization of the indigenes.

Efforts made by ABN TV to hear from the traditional ruler of Opara Na Nkaru Awa autonomous community, HRH Eze Abel Ogbonna Ezechukwu was not successful as his palace was locked from behind.

However, three truckloads of Abia State joint security outfit, Operation Crush comprising the Army, Police, Nigeria Security, and Civil Defense Corps arrived at the community by 10:am, to prevent the breakdown of law and order.