News Flash:UGWUNZU EZIOHA-MGBOWO LAMENTS...

 UGWUNZU EZIOHA–MGBOWO LAND INVASION: COMMUNITY DEMANDS Why IMMEDIATE ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION 



Mgbowo, Awgu LGA, Enugu State


The people of Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area have raised serious alarm over the forceful invasion and destruction of community farmlands at Ugwunzu, Ezioha, Mgbowo, calling for the immediate intervention of the Enugu State Government.


On December 10, 2025, three bulldozers reportedly moved into active farmlands at Ugwunzu Ezioha without any prior notice to the host community, the traditional ruler, or the affected farmers. Within hours, economic crops cultivated over several farming seasons were completely destroyed.


Farmers’ fervent pleas for time to harvest their produce were reportedly ignored.

No Notice, No Consent, No Engagement

Following distress calls from affected farmers, community leaders sought clarification from the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Greg Ikwuagwu Ituma (Onyima II), who confirmed that no government agency or private individual had notified him of any approved project on the land.


This lack of notice and consultation represents a clear breach of established community engagement protocols and raised immediate concerns about public order and legality of the process.


Local Authorities Declined to Act

In a bid to prevent escalation, the Igwe mobilised community leaders and youth representatives to formally report the incident to the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon Uchenna Okolo, the Chief Security Officer of the LGA, as well as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Awgu Division.

However, rather than halt the operation pending clarifications, the Local Government Chairman reportedly declined to intervene, citing claims by the invading team leader, one  Kingsley Okeke, that he possessed documents from the federal government granting him a 99-year lease over the land.


Despite repeated demands, no such document was produced by the operators, the Local Government authority, or the police. Nevertheless, the bulldozers were allowed to continue operating until all visible farm produce was destroyed.

The community further alleges that the police refused to formally record the incident, denying affected farmers immediate legal recourse.


Key Questions

Demanding Answers


The incident raises urgent questions requiring clarification by the Enugu State Government:

1. Was any valid approval or lease issued for this land, and by which authority?


2. Why was the host community and its traditional ruler not notified?


3. Why were farmers denied the opportunity to harvest their crops?


4. Why did local government and security authorities fail to prevent obvious destruction and rising tension


5. Why was the same land previously rejected for an Enugu State agricultural scheme—on the grounds that it was reserved for the Awgu Games Village—only to later become the subject of alleged private acquisition


6. Legal and Equity Concerns

Under Nigerian law, including judicial precedents interpreting the Land Use Act, communities retain equitable interests in land. Where land acquired for public purposes is abandoned or diverted, it reverts to the host community.

The manner in which this operation was executed raises serious legal and ethical concerns, particularly in an agrarian community where land is central to survival and economic stability.


Call for Immediate Government Action


The people of Ezioha commend their youths for exercising restraint despite severe provocation, a restraint that helped avert a breakdown of law and order.


The community now calls on the Enugu State Government to:

1. Immediately investigate the Ugwunzu Ezioha Mgbowo land invasion:


2. Publicly disclose any documents authorising the operation;

Assess losses and compensate affected farmers; and


3. Clearly define the legal status of the land to prevent further conflict.

A Broader Governance Concern

Beyond Ugwunzu, this incident underscores growing concerns about local governance accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights at the grassroots.


Democracy must be experienced, not merely proclaimed.

The people of Mgbowo remain confident that the Enugu State Government, guided by its commitment to justice and the rule of law, will act decisively to restore peace, equity, and public confidence.


Issued by:

Mgbowo Stakeholders Forum

Enugu State


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