Residents of Umuiche, Elelem in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, witnessed a peaceful protest on Saturday as local women raised concerns over what they described as encroachment on ancestral farmland.
The protesters claimed that significant portions of land at Ndichie Uzo Ubi, Agaranwa, Ngara, and Ahaba — vital for local farming activities — have become inaccessible to families in the community. Leading the protest, Mrs. Elizabeth Okere warned that the women may escalate their demonstration if access to the farmland is not restored.
“When we speak up, we are blocked from reaching our farms. What you see today is just a fraction of what could happen if our land is not returned,” Mrs. Okere said.
The village chairman, Mr. Chiaka Amagba, estimated that more than 5,000 hectares of land have been affected, while the youth leader, Mr. Eugene Onyema, expressed concerns that local youths feel intimidated and urged the state government to intervene.
The allegations remain those of the demonstrators and community leaders and have not been independently verified. The community has called on the relevant authorities to investigate and resolve the dispute.
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