Land: Imo Community Sends SOS To Uzodimma

The residents of Umuocha Avu in Owerri-West Local Government Area of Imo State have made a heartfelt appeal to Governor Hope Uzodinma to urgently intervene and prevent land grabbers from forcibly seizing their ancestral lands.

The Chairman of the Umuocha Avu family meeting, Mr. Godwin Oparamba, made the appeal to the state chief executive.

Mr. Oparamba stated that their appeal was prompted by Governor Uzodinma’s commitment to reclaiming land for the people and halting land racketeering within the state.

He revealed that on Thursday, December 18, 2025, land grabbers arrived with heavy machinery, accompanied by armed soldiers and mobile police officers, and began leveling their land situated at Ngbabo Umuezenwara to Nwauhie, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

He reported that they demolished fenced properties and other structures on the site.

Mr. Oparamba further explained that when the youth of Umuocha Avu reached the scene, the soldiers removed their uniforms to avoid identification, preventing formal reporting to military authorities.

He suggested that this action indicated illegal activities, as they were falsely invoking the names of the Governor, the Ministry of Lands Survey and Physical Development, and the Imo Housing Corporation Owerri.

Mr. Oparamba noted that this marks the third attempt to forcibly seize their ancestral land.

He recounted that the first incident occurred on Saturday, January 28, 2023, involving hoodlums and armed policemen, followed by a second attempt on Saturday, May 19, 2024.

The elder statesman emphasized that the land in question is the ancestral land of Umuocha Avu, which the community had divided many years ago, awaiting government provision of utilities for relocation.

Mr. Oparamba asserted that there was no communication with the rightful landowners, as individuals claiming to be government agents forcefully entered to seize the land.

Another elder from the Umuocha community, Mr. C.C. Maduike, expressed concern over land scammers who misuse the names of the Governor and state land authorities, employing armed soldiers and policemen as intimidation forces.

He stated that the Umuocha community is peaceful and seeks to maintain their tranquility, as the land in question is where their future generations will reside.

Mr. Maduike reiterated the appeal to Governor Uzodimma for urgent intervention to prevent further incursions by land grabbers and their agents into Umuocha Avu land.