Panic has gripped several agrarian communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State following allegations that the State Government is planning to establish a settlement for Fulani herdsmen in the area.
Community leaders raised the alarm after officials—allegedly from the state government—reportedly invaded farmlands with the backing of armed security personnel, displacing farmers from their ancestral lands without prior notice or consultation.
Residents are now appealing to the government to halt the move, stressing that farming is their primary source of livelihood. They warned that any encroachment on their land would threaten their ability to feed their families.
Speaking on behalf of Umuapu-Ohaji community, a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly and ex-Ohaji/Egbema LGA Council Chairman, Hon. Luke Chukwu, condemned the invasion. He recounted how individuals claiming to be government agents stormed farmlands, destroyed crops and economic trees, and carried out the operation under heavy security presence.
Chukwu decried the government’s failure to consult with the affected communities, calling it a violation of the Land Use Decree, which mandates local government involvement and compensation before any legal land acquisition.
“The people of Umuapu are peaceful and open to development,” he stated. “But any attempt to take our farmland without due process is unacceptable. It is a taboo in our culture to sell ancestral land, especially for purposes like cattle ranching or RUGA.”
Also speaking, Mr. Chinaza Ajukwara, a representative of Obitti-Ohaji Autonomous Community, alleged that Fulani herdsmen have already occupied their farmlands and are destroying crops ready for harvest.
He expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area, stating that residents now live in constant fear. According to him, the herders are armed and pose a serious threat to the lives of locals.
“No responsible government abandons its people or enacts policies that expose them to danger,” Ajukwara said. “The frequent clashes between farmers and herders across the country should be a warning sign for Imo State to tread carefully and prioritize the safety of its citizens.”
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