Lucy Ezeliora
The Ugoani of Okpanam kingdom , His Royal Majesty, Obi Clement Mbanefor, has appealled to Government and Law enforcement agencies to come to the plight of the indigenes of Obodogba Community, Okpanam, following the alleged forceful takeover of a disputed piece of land by heavily armed Naval officers.
The Ugoani stated this during a press briefing in Okpanam Oshimili North Local Government Area,
The Obi , strongly condemned the military's actions, stressing that it was unconstitutional for military personnel to forcefully occupy any portion of the community’s land describing it as a direct violation of the law.
According to him, it is not within the military’s jurisdiction to interfere in land matters, let alone seize community's land, commencing development without the rightful owners consent.
He further advised prospective land buyers to consult with the community’s central body before making purchases to avoid being defrauded .
He appealed to the officers to vacate the land immediately, emphasizing that the land belongs to Obodogba community.
The Youth Chairman ,Obodogba Community , Mr Chukwuma Abumujor, recalled that armed soldiers had previously stormed the disputed land, forcibly evicting workers hired by local landowners and stated that the community had petitioned the Chief of Naval Staff and pleaded for protection.
According to the petition, unknown gunmen—allegedly sent by Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke have been threatening residents, destroying farmlands, economic crops, and properties in the process.
Stating their concerns, the Chairman and Central Executive Committee Obodogba Community Chief Paul Nwayalani, lamented the forceful takeover and claimed that the officers were using their weapons to intimidate the community and to seize their land.
According to him, the Obodogba land was handed down to them by their fore fathers , recounting their ordeal the naval officers had used bulldozers to demolish buildings , the alleged armed officers had earlier chased them away by firing gunshots to create fear and assert control.
Engr. Samuel Morah, the community’s land consultant, alleged that some individuals illegally sold the land to Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke without verifying ownership and that when he approached the military officers stationed on the land to ask who had assigned them, they refused to answer and instead threatened to shoot.
Engr Morah reported the incident to military authorities at the barracks, who promised to intervene. However, when army personnel arrived at the scene to mediate, the naval officers reacted aggressively.
He explained that they became furious seeing him return with the army, that they began shooting, chasing his vehicle, and causing chaos, forcing him to flee for his life.
The naval officers , when contacted denied allegations of land grabbing or intimidation, insisting they were simply following orders. They stated that they were sent by their superior, who had purchased the land from a member of the community and had already made financial settlements.
Efforts to reach Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke for his side of the story proved unsuccessful, as he declined all calls related to the matter.
Reports indicate that many indigenes are fleeing parts of the community to avoid being caught in the growing unrest, as the officers patrol the area fully armed, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a war zone
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