Bloody attacks on Onitsha youths spark peaceful protest against alleged land grabbers
By Nwabueze Okonkwo
ONITSHA – Bloody attacks on youths of the Umuosodi kindred in Umudei village, Onitsha, have sparked a peaceful demonstration by members of the community, protesting against what they described as land grabbers.
The unrest follows the brutal beating of five youths, some of whom were receiving medical treatment at the time of reporting, allegedly by government agencies hired by the suspected land grabbers. The attack reportedly occurred at the disputed Odachi farmland less than 24 hours before the protest.
One of the victims, Patrick Menkiti, told journalists that the agencies, including Operation Udo Ga Achi and Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade), swooped on them in broad daylight, subjecting them to severe beatings and confiscating personal belongings, including mobile phones.
In response, over 100 members of the Umuosodi kindred staged a protest at the Odachi farmland, chanting slogans such as “We no go gree, we no go gree” and carrying placards accusing individuals, including Chuks Emelife, Ezedinobi Eddy Ibuzor, and Chinyelugo Boy Bossh, of attempting to unlawfully seize their ancestral land.
Elders of the kindred, Johnny Nwanolue and Tony Ekweogwu, told journalists that the farmland, which measures over 300 plots behind the Federal Government College, Onitsha, is their last remaining land for agricultural purposes. They expressed frustration that despite previous concessions of other lands to government institutions, these land grabbers continued to encroach on the Odachi farmland.
The demonstrators later visited the Onitsha Area office of the Anambra State Ministry of Lands to lodge complaints, but were advised to escalate their petition to the state Commissioner for Lands. Ekweogwu said a formal petition had already been sent to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and they were awaiting a response.
Responding to the allegations, former Anambra State House of Assembly member, Hon. Ezedinobi Eddy Ibuzor, denied any involvement in hiring security agencies to attack the youths. He maintained that the land in question had already been acquired by the state government, with compensation paid, and therefore the kindred no longer had grounds for protest.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between communities and private individuals over land ownership and underscores the need for transparent mediation to prevent further violence in Onitsha.
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