Uche Onyema, Owerri
Angry women from Umuiche, Elelem, in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, have threatened to stage a nude protest if their lands, allegedly grabbed by top politicians, are not returned.
The women, who staged a peaceful protest, said the land is their primary source of livelihood and its loss has left many of them facing hunger.
Led by Mrs. Elizabeth Okere, the women lamented that farmlands at Ndichie Uzo Ubi, Agaranwa, Ngara, and Ahaba communities have been encroached upon, depriving them of their means of survival.
Okere declared: “We prefer to go naked on the street rather than die of hunger in our own land, which has been ours for ages.”
The village chairman, Mr. Chiaka Amagba, alleged that over 5,000 hectares of land had been seized. He appealed to the authorities to intervene and recover the land for the people.
“We want our land back. It is our ancestral land for farming. They have no business encroaching on it. The land is our only source of livelihood as we are predominantly farmers,” Amagba said.
Also speaking, the youth leader, Mr. Eugene Onyema, accused the politicians of using thugs to harass them whenever they tried to resist. He called on organizations such as Amnesty International and relevant government agencies to come to their aid.
The village secretary, Mr. Chris Nwogu, added that many families have been plunged into hunger and starvation since they lost access to the farmlands.
“We have only a small portion left, and if care is not taken, they may grab what is remaining, leaving us with nothing. Already, we are suffering the effects of the land grabbing. Last year we had a poor harvest, and this year may not be different. Our children and family members are almost dying of starvation,” Nwogu lamented.
