Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Residents of Obinagu Obegu Awkunanaw in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, have staged a peaceful protest over alleged encroachment on their land by the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), calling on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene.
The protesters, comprising over 10,000 youths and women, marched around the disputed Phase 1 and Phase 2 areas before proceeding to the Government House in Enugu.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as: “ENGIS, leave our land alone”; “Governor Mbah, please help us”; “The land belongs to us”; and “No future for our children,” among others.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, Chairman of the Obinagu Development Union, Obegu, Pastor Kingson Ndubueze, said the land—estimated at over 9,000 plots—rightfully belongs to the community.
He alleged that the land was being advertised for sale to individuals and developers at N25 million per plot by officials of ENGIS.
Ndubueze further claimed that the Nigeria Police Force had acquired part of the land for the construction of a Police Secondary School, suggesting that the development might have been used as a ploy by ENGIS to take over the community’s land.
He added that in 2025, the agency invited community leaders for a meeting during which it requested all title documents relating to the land.
“They invited us last year to their office and asked us to submit all documents relating to the land for verification, which we did.
“They told us they would get back to us, but instead of communicating with us, they allegedly began selling the land in plots.
“We are appealing to Governor Peter Mbah to come to our aid. Our children’s future is at stake,” Ndubueze said.
However, reacting to the allegations, Managing Director of ENGIS, Mr Chiwetalu Nwatu, denied any involvement, stating that the agency had nothing to do with the land.
He explained that the area is currently under dispute and litigation, with multiple communities laying claim to it.
Nwatu also noted that the Nigeria Police Force acquired the portion of land where it is building long before the current administration assumed office.
