BREAKING NEWS: Delta youths protest against land grabbers, seeks intervention

 Youths of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday took to the streets to protest against the activities of land grabbers allegedly from neighbouring communities.

The youths, led by the President General of the Ogwashi-Uku Youth Development Association, Mr Stanley Chiedu, accused land merchants from the neighbouring Ibusa community of infiltrating their land, making it impossible for farmers to access their farmland, adding that hunters can no longer hunt in their own bush.

The protesters, in their numbers, marched round the Council Secretariat and palace, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with different inscriptions

Some of the inscriptions read  “LGA Chairman, help our farmers and hunters from molestation and intimidation in our farmland. “We say no to Ibusa land grabbers”  “Enough is enough. Help us restore dignity. Others stormed the Council Secretariat and the palace.

Addressing the protesters at the palace, HRM Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo, represented by the Palace Secretary, Prince Jude Emordi, who commended the youths for their peaceful disposition, assured that the land issue would be resolved legally.

He said, “The land issue between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa will be amicably resolved through legal process”

Also, at the Local Government Secretariat, the Aniocha South Local Government Chairman, Mr Jude Chukwuweike, explained that the efforts are being made by the local administration to find a lasting peace to the boundary problems between the two communities.

The Council Chairman, represented by the Secretary to the Council, Mr Tony Ebube, said the Chairman was working in synergy with his Oshimili North counterpart to bring an enduring solution to the crisis.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Youth President told South-South PUNCH that their inheritance has been taken away in broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.

“For over a long time, the respective farmers have been molested, their farm produce destroyed by elements suspected to be land grabbers from Ibusa Community.

“Today, they have decided to cry out to Government authorities, security agencies and the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom for help.

“I’m standing to address Ogwashi-Uku indigenes, our neighbours, Delta State at large and Nigeria that what is happening today in Ogwashi-Uku bush is an eyesore, where people can no longer go to their farm safely, where our inheritance has been taken in broad daylight without any recourse to anybody.

“Our only source of livelihood is farming and as we are aware, today we can no longer farm.

Our brothers and youths, on a daily basis, are being chased away; our hunters can no longer hunt and these are what we are known for.

“We call on the Local Government Chairman, the police area commander, the DPO and other authorities in Ogwashi-Uku to come to our aid today because, as it stands, we can no longer take what is happening in the bush. We are aware that the Ogwashi-Uku people are law-abiding.

“We are also aware that the government is aware of our patience over a long period of time. And that is why we have taken this step today, that in every Democratic environment, peaceful protest is the only way to express whatever grievances you have,” he said.

South-South PUNCH reports that land matters between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa communities have claimed many lives over the years and have continued unabated, even as the Delta State Government is yet to release the white paper of the commission of enquiry since December 2024.