By Anne Azuka
In a powerful show of unity and civic resolve, youths from Ogbe-Akwu community in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom has staged a peaceful protest to the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, and the Aniocha South Local Government Secretariat to register their deep frustration over the continued land invasion and harassment by individuals from the neighbouring Ibusa community.
The protesters, wielding placards with different inscriptions including “LGA help our farmers and hunters from molestation and intimidation on our farmlands. “We say no to Ibusa land grabbers”, “Help us restore dignity ” and chanting peaceful slogans decried the recent spate of land-grabbing activities by some persons from neighboring Ibusa community who have repeatedly trespassed on Ogwashi-Uku farmlands, forcibly chasing away elderly men and women—many of whom rely on the land for their subsistence farming.
The youths led by the President General of Ogwashi Uku Youth Development Association, Comrade Stanley Chiedu, expressed their growing anger over the persistent provocation, which they said , has pushed the patience of the Ogwashi-Uku people to its limits.
According to them, the trespassers from Ibusa are operating under the guise of fake and discredited survey plans in a desperate attempt to hoodwink government officials and the general public into believing their unlawful territorial claims.
Addressing the crowd on behalf of His Royal Majesty at the Palace, the Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, commended the youths for remaining peaceful and for not resorting to violence in the face of continuous provocation.
He acknowledged the pain and distress being caused by the illegal activities of the land invaders and assured the protesters that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku was actively pursuing justice through lawful and appropriate means.
Prince Emordi informed the gathering that there is already a Supreme Court judgment which declared the survey plan paraded by the land grabbers as invalid and of no legal consequence.
He further disclosed that two separate lawsuits are currently ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Delta State High Court in Asaba to address and conclusively determine the ownership of the disputed lands.
He cautioned the youths against taking the law into their own hands and emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to take its course.
“His Majesty has directed that the appropriate law enforcement agencies be notified about the criminal trespass and destruction being carried out by these invaders.
“The Obi is committed to ensuring that justice is done and that those responsible are held accountable under the law.”Prince Emordi stated
President General of Ogwashi Uku Youths Development Association Comrade Stanley Chiedu who led the group through the streets of the ancient town called on relevant authorities to come to the aid of the people of Ogwashi Uku as their inheritance has been taken in a broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.
According to him: “For over a long time, the respective farmers have been molested, their farm produce destroyed by elements suspected to be land grabbers from Ibusa Community.
“Today, they have decided to cry out to government authorities, security agencies and traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku for help.
“What is happening today in Ogwashi Uku bush is an eyesore, where people can no longer go to their farm safely, where our inheritance has been taken in a broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.
“Our only source of livelihood is farming as we are aware and today we can no longer farm.
“Our brothers and youths on daily basis are being chased away, our women are being chased, our hunters can no longer hunt and these are what we are known for.
“We call on the local government chairman, the area commander, the DPO, the prescribed authority for Ogwashi Uku to come to our aid today because as it stands we can no longer take what is happening in the bush.
