Edeaniagu clan raises alarm over land grab threats

In a renewed call for justice, the people of Edeaniagu Clan in Ishi-Ozalla Community, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, have raised the alarm over an alleged land grabber.

Despite previous interventions from the government and Christian organizations, accusations of ostracization persist in Edeaniagu.

The community has urgently appealed to the Inspector General of Police, the Commander of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, and other security agencies for protection against a recent wave of kidnappings targeting their people.

They remain resolute, vowing that no amount of intimidation will deter them from their quest for peace, justice, and equity in Ishi-Ozalla, where they demand equal treatment for all citizens.

Speaking at the end of an expanded Edeaniagu Clan Executive/Stakeholders meeting, Youth Leader Chief Odirachukwu Nweke expressed shock over the relentless oppression by certain individuals.

He described the land grabbing attempts as sacrilegious, given the community’s deep ancestral ties to the land. “We recently called on the world to witness our plight in Ishi-Ozalla. Most of the community lands, including the village square and market, belong to our ancestors.

Now, some individuals boast of using government connections to seize our lands. God forbid, our ancestors will fight for us,” he stated.

Chief Anthony Nweke, an octogenarian, warned of dire consequences for anyone trespassing on Edeaniagu’s ancestral lands, predicting a generational curse for such actions.

He lamented the absence of traditional rulers in the four autonomous communities of Ozalla Kingdom, urging local elders not to ignore the issue.

Chief Joseph Nweke, another community elder whose son was recently kidnapped, condemned the targeting of Edeaniagu people as barbaric.

He called on security agencies to address the threats urgently. Emphasizing the clan’s aboriginal status in Ishi-Ozalla, he challenged anyone with a contrary view to provide verifiable evidence of their origins.

The community highlighted ongoing discrimination, citing a recent job allocation from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) where Edeaniagu people were excluded despite significant land contributions for the hospital.

“We are ready to get to the root of this matter. Enough of the intimidation and segregation against our people,” Chief Joseph Nweke declared.

Furthermore, the community expressed concerns over a rumoured reconciliation visit aimed at pledging loyalty on behalf of the Edeaniagu Clan, viewing it as a stage-managed attempt to undermine their stance.

They reiterated their appeal to Governor Peter Mbah to grant their request for autonomous community status, believing it to be essential for sustainable peace, equity, unity, and progress.