Abia Traders Protest Alleged Community Threats To Demolish Shops
Traders in Umuahia Industrial Market in Ahiaeke Ndume, Abia State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over alleged threats by members of the Umuchukwu community in Ihie Ndume to forcibly evict them and demolish their shops.
The protest, which took place at the country home of Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, was fueled by what the traders described as intimidation, unlawful quit notices, and threats of arson targeting over 200 shops on the disputed land.
Addressing journalists during the demonstration, protest leader Pastor Daniel Obi said the land in question had been legally acquired by the Abia State Government during the military administration of Group Captain Frank Ajobena, and that compensation had been duly paid to the host community.
“We are not illegal occupants. We have valid allocation papers issued by the government,” Obi said. “Even the administration of Governor T.A. Orji paid compensation again when the community brought fresh claims. Why then are we being threatened with eviction or told our shops will be burnt down?”
Obi accused some individuals in the Umuchukwu community of creating fear and attempting to reclaim the land by force, despite decades of settled government ownership.
“This is not just about land — it’s about people’s lives and their means of survival. We’ve tried resolving this through market leadership, but that failed. That’s why we’ve come to the Governor, whom we believe is a listening and just leader.”
Mr. James Onyema, Chairman of the First Line Building Section, warned that the situation closely resembles previous incidents where traders were displaced due to silence or inaction from the government.
“We’ve seen it before — parts of the market crumbled under similar threats. If we don’t speak up now, we could be next. This is a call for urgent intervention. We’re not asking for favours; we’re asking for protection of our rights,” Onyema stressed.
Joining the protest was CSP Austin Nwosu (Rtd.), a retired police officer and trader, who described the situation as a potential security threat and urged government authorities to act swiftly.
“This market is under Umuahia jurisdiction — not Umunneochi, where the community is claiming to have obtained a court ruling. Under the Land Use Act, all land belongs to the government. Our presence here is legal and supported by government documents,” he noted.
“Threats of arson and forced eviction must be taken seriously. These are criminal acts, not community grievances.”
The traders also raised concerns about a growing pattern of unresolved land disputes between host communities and occupants of government-acquired lands, particularly in commercial areas. Many fear the economic implications of forced displacement, which could ripple through the local economy.
“If our shops go, hundreds of families will go hungry. This market feeds people, pays school fees, creates jobs,” said Mrs. Nkechi Onuoha, one of the traders who joined the protest. “We want peace, but we won’t allow ourselves to be driven away unlawfully.”
Responding on behalf of Governor Alex Otti, the Chief Protocol Officer, Mr. Uche Nwosu, praised the traders for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that their concerns would be promptly relayed to the Governor.
Abia Traders Protest Alleged Community Threats To Demolish Shops is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
