Obeagu Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area has raised an alarm over what they describe as forceful acquisition of their communal land by Private Estates International West Africa Ltd. (PEIWA).

In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by Chief Andy Egbo, a key stakeholder, Chief Chiene I. Chiene, Chairman of the Community's Litigation Committee, and HRH Igwe Mike Nnukwu, the traditional ruler of Obeagu Awkunanaw, the community vehemently rejected PEIWA's claims to their ancestral lands.

The community's outcry comes in response to a recent publication by PEIWA asserting legal ownership of approximately 1,097 hectares of land. According to community leaders, these lands form part of their ancestral heritage that has been passed down through generations.

The disputed areas include Agbana, Ugwuorie, Onususu, Akparata, Isi Oke, Ofia Ogonogo, Ofia Aru, Ururo, Orji, Ngene Uchoo, Ngene Ogwe, Iduru, and Ihu Odeje, among others.

"All that PEIWA did was to parcellate our lands and, in a most egregious manner, begin to sell," the community stated. "While we groan in pains and sorrow, they selfishly smiled to their banks."

The community leaders further expressed concern over PEIWA's warnings to potential buyers and investors against purchasing land or conducting business with community members or those who derive title from them.

"Being our prized ancestral lands, and in protest of this provocative land heist by PEIWA, we have continued to follow due process to recover our land, believing that justice, equity, and good conscience will prevail above all their chicanery," the statement read.

The community advised the public to disregard PEIWA's claims, describing them as "malicious, misguided, and deceitful" and the product of "hallucinatory, delusional, and wishful thinking of land-grabbing merchants."

Additionally, the community alleged that PEIWA has failed to provide any meaningful benefits to the original landowners or to the Enugu State Government in terms of revenue or statutory payments.

As of the time of this report, PEIWA has not responded to these allegations. BenriNews will continue to monitor this developing situation.

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