Tension is brewing in Nguru community, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, as residents protest what they describe as forceful acquisition of their ancestral land. The community alleges that bulldozers have already been moved to the site at Agbani, Nguru Nsukka, without any prior consultation or compensation.

Youths from the community, who gathered at the site in large numbers, claim they were neither consulted nor compensated before their land was taken. They allege that certain individuals are using government cover to seize their property.

Community Leaders Speak Out

Mr. Ejiofor Ozioko, Youth President of Nguru Community, told reporters during a protest that they received information about persons attempting to take over their land under the guise of government authority.

"The Enugu State Government, under Gov Peter Mbah, has normal due procedure to acquire land from communities. This is why we believe the people who want to grab our land are hiding under the government," Ozioko stated.

He expressed shock that bulldozers had already destroyed crops worth millions of naira without any agreement with the community. Ozioko vowed that youths would maintain surveillance on the land to prevent further work until proper agreements are reached.

"Ninety-nine percent of Nguru people are farmers and it's from there they get food to eat and money to train their children in school," he emphasized, highlighting the critical importance of the land to local livelihoods.

The Traditional Ruler of Nguru Community, HRH Igwe Linus Obayi, confirmed that no government official had informed him about plans to take the community's land. "If the government had informed me, I would have called my community people together and discussed the issue," he said, commending the youths for their commitment to protecting community property.

Allegations of Destroyed Livelihoods

An anonymous community member described the situation as an "injustice" against his people. He claimed that land grabbers purporting to represent the Enugu State Housing Corporation were "forcefully encroaching on our agricultural lands, destroying farmlands, and threatening the livelihoods of our people."

According to the resident, three caterpillars were destroying crops including pepper, garden eggs, and tomatoes, leaving women, widows, and youths who depend on these lands "crying helplessly."

"Our land is not just a commodity; it's our lifeblood, identity, and future," the resident stated, noting that the community had previously ceded lands for specific purposes like the Government Technical College Nsukka, but those same lands were now allegedly being used for estate development without consent.

Housing Corporation Responds

Mr. Christian Ogbu, the Enugu State Surveyor for Enugu North Senatorial District, told journalists that he was working at the site for the Enugu State Housing Corporation and had been informed that the state and community had already discussed and agreed about the land.

"I know that the present government in the state does not take people's land without negotiation and agreement. With this development, I will wait until the government and Nguru community resolve and reach an agreement," Ogbu stated.

When contacted, Mr. Gerald Asogwa, Managing Director of Enugu Housing Development Corporation, denied any plan to take over land belonging to Nguru community for a housing estate. He attributed the situation to a communication gap, explaining that the corporation had approached the community for an access road to a housing estate being constructed on land belonging to Odoru community.

Asogwa also dismissed claims that farm products were destroyed in the process of creating the access road. He said they had spoken to community leaders and were awaiting a meeting for further discussion, emphasizing that the corporation had no intention of taking over the community's land for a housing estate.

The community has appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the matter and protect their rights to their ancestral lands.

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