The people of Obegu Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area have taken to the streets in protest against what they describe as constant arrests and harassment of community members by the Nigeria Police Force.

Led by their President General, Mr. Mich Ognonna, over 500 youths participated in a peaceful demonstration, calling for the immediate release of a kinsman reportedly arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Ikoyi, Lagos, over a land-related matter.

The community's traditional ruler, Igwe Mich Nnukwu, speaking emotionally during the protest, accused Private Estate International West Africa Limited (PEIWA) of surveying the community's land with drones and subsequently claiming ownership of the entire area, including his palace.

"Our people can no longer go to their farms due to intimidation," the monarch lamented.

Mr. Ognonna alleged that policemen were being used to arrest community members on trumped-up charges, with some being arraigned in Abuja and subsequently detained in prisons in Keffi or Suleja. He questioned the jurisdiction of the CID Lagos to effect arrests in Enugu over land matters.

"They arrested one of our brothers and sped up to the airport to take him to Lagos on a chartered flight. Unfortunately, our brother collapsed as a result of assault and underlying sicknesses. He was rushed to the airport clinic and later to the police hospital before they could stabilize him," Ognonna claimed.

The traditional prime minister of Obegu community, Chief Andey Egbo, noted that the matter was already before the courts. He expressed concern that the estate company had allegedly abandoned judicial processes in favor of intimidation tactics.

"For over one week, our people went into hiding; they deployed police from Lagos to track down some persons they perceived as leaders of the community," Chief Egbo stated. "Even if they succeeded in killing all of us, our children would continue from where we stopped."

The community has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission to intervene in the situation.

When contacted, the chief executive of Private Estate International West Africa Limited, Mr. Kinsley Eze, neither accepted nor denied responsibility for the situation. He referred journalists to the Ministry of Lands, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, and the police for confirmation.

Efforts to obtain reactions from the police were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.