A family in Nigeria's Imo State has vowed to protect their ancestral land from being taken away by the state government. The Nkwazema family of Nekede, Owerri West LGA, claims that government officials led by Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, invaded their land with armed security men and forcefully evicted occupants. The family alleges that their property was destroyed and that they were not compensated or notified prior to the invasion.
According to Felix Uchenna Ihemeze Nkwazema, who spoke on behalf of the affected family, Nwaneri ordered a group of boys, allegedly thugs, to invade and destroy houses and other properties in the land. The family claims that the land, which has been in their possession since 1943, was originally owned by them and that no government official approached them about taking it. The family is now seeking legal means to ensure their rights are not trampled upon.
The Nkwazema family expressed surprise at how Nwaneri and his alleged thugs started erecting fences immediately after destroying their property. They claim that Nwaneri only mapped out the graves of their parents and started fencing the land, which they claim is over 10 plots with residential houses. The family noted that no monetary compensation was made and that the government did not indicate interest in acquiring the land prior to the invasion.
The Owerri City survey-plan documents of the land reveal that the family has been in possession of the property since 1943. Nkwazema wondered why a sane government could wake up and decide to displace citizens and grab an ancestral home whose occupants are still alive. He condemned the manner in which one of their brothers was allegedly arrested and the sporadic shootings that forced residents to scamper for safety.
The Nkwazema family has called on the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, and other relevant bodies to compel Nwaneri to leave their ancestral land alone. They lamented that their ancestral land has never been in dispute and that they were never approached nor notified that the Imo State Government wants to take their land.
The family is now homeless and restless, according to Nkwazema, who added that they are ready to use every legal means to ensure their rights are not trampled upon. He stated that the family is willing to die in their home rather than abandon it. The incident has sparked concern among residents and human rights groups.
Efforts to reach out to Nwaneri and other relevant government officials proved abortive, as calls and text messages sent were not acknowledged at the time of filing this report. The incident has raised questions about the government's handling of land acquisition and the treatment of citizens in Imo State.
Key points
- The Nkwazema family claims ownership of the land since 1943.
- The family alleges that the government did not follow due process in acquiring the land.
- The family vows to use legal means to protect their ancestral land.
