Awka Indigenes rally against police occupation of Agu Nawgu land amid alleged disputes

Indigenes of the Awka community, particularly from the Ezinano area, have expressed their displeasure over the deployment of police operatives to their land, Agu Nawgu. The deployment has reportedly impeded the development of properties on the land, leading to protests by the community members. The police presence is said to be linked to previous communal disputes.

During a march on Saturday to inspect the land, indigenes were confronted by police operatives who, citing orders, prohibited access to the disputed area. The situation escalated as the operatives fired shots to deter the protesting indigenes.

Chief Kanayo Obidigbo, a prominent member of the community, joined the inspection and accused the Anambra State Police authorities of displaying a biased interest in the matter, alleging a lack of neutrality. He emphasized the historical significance of the land, which was won in conquest by their great-grandparents and has a survey plan dating back to 1949.

Obidigbo addressed journalists, stating, “Police presence on our land is unacceptable. They have stalled development in this site. I have a building here, but I can’t continue with work because police have occupied the whole place and are shooting at us.”

He further raised concerns about tenants from Enugwu-Agidi community making a case against Awka indigenes with the support of the police authorities. The indigenes called for an investigation by the Inspector General of Police (IG) to withdraw the operatives from the land.

The Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Aderemi Adeoye, denied sending police operatives to the disputed land when questioned by journalists. However, he did not clarify who was responsible for the deployment.