Indigenes of Umuawafor, Umuokereke and Umunwogu villages in Isiala Aro-Ngwa Autonomous Community, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, have appealed to the state government to halt any further acquisition of their ancestral lands for development projects.
The appeal was made during a protest over reports that the Abia State Government had acquired portions of land in the three communities for a proposed smart city project.
The protesters said the affected villages had already surrendered substantial portions of their ancestral land for government-backed developments, including the trailer park and the permanent site of the Abia State Polytechnic.
They therefore urged the state government to consider communities with larger areas of available land for the proposed smart city project instead of acquiring what they described as their remaining ancestral land.
The residents also raised concerns over reports that some plots already purchased by individuals for private development were among the areas allegedly targeted for acquisition. According to them, the situation has created uncertainty for landowners, investors and prospective developers in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the affected villages, Comrade Friday Appolos said the communities had experienced significant land losses over the years through government acquisitions and transactions allegedly carried out by individuals claiming to represent the state government.
Appolos recalled that substantial portions of land had previously been acquired for the permanent site of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Osisioma Ngwa, noting that Umuawafor reportedly owns a significant part of the area.
He also cited the acquisition of land for the trailer park and other government projects as evidence of what he described as the community’s long history of contributing land for public development.
“The recent purported acquisition is frustrating. This is injustice, inhuman and unacceptable,” Appolos said, while appealing to the state government to investigate those allegedly presenting themselves as representatives of the government in land transactions within the area.
He further claimed that residents of the affected villages had not been directly engaged by government representatives over the reported smart city project.
Appolos urged the government to allow indigenes and other legitimate landowners who had already acquired property legally to proceed with their development plans.
He also questioned how members of the community would secure land for residential and economic purposes if more of their ancestral property was acquired.
The community spokesman appealed for direct consultation between the government and residents, stressing that development should respect the rights and interests of the people whose land is being used for such projects.
Meanwhile, counsel to some investors in the area, Mr. Obiora Edward, said his clients had approached the court after learning about the alleged government acquisition of their property.
Edward said his clients—Cyril Nwachukwu, Nkechi Nwachukwu and Emeka Nwachukwu—are indigenes of the area who acquired the land for development purposes.
According to the lawyer, the investors instituted Suit No. HOS/168/2025 after attempts to establish communication with the state government over the reported acquisition were unsuccessful.
He said the government responded to the suit through its legal representative and that the matter remains pending before the court.
Edward expressed concern over reports that development activities could commence on the disputed property despite the pending litigation.
He maintained that his clients possess documents supporting their ownership of the property and argued that any government decision to acquire the land should follow due legal process, including proper notification and payment of appropriate compensation where applicable.
The lawyer said the disputed property covers more than 140 plots and urged the government to engage with his clients to resolve the matter.
The affected communities have called for dialogue between the Abia State Government, residents and landowners, saying an amicable resolution would help prevent further disputes and ensure that proposed development projects do not create unnecessary tension among residents and investors.
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The controversy highlights the growing need for transparent land acquisition procedures, meaningful community consultation and proper compensation whenever ancestral or privately owned land is required for major development projects in Abia State.
