By SAMUEL OGIDAN, Abuja

The traditional ruler and leaders of Obeagu Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State have warned members of the public not to fall prey to purchasing their ancestral land, sold by Private Estates International West Africa Limited and its agents.

They further warned that only lands having the express written consent of the Traditional council and the Obeagu Town Union, viz-a-viz, the Obeagu Land Committee of Obeagu Awkunanaw Community can be purchased.

Reacting to media reports, wherein the real estate firm laid claims to the land, whose Certificate of Occupancy has since been revoked, the community leaders, in a press release made available to newsmen, said members of the public must not be misled.

Chief Gilbert Ikechukwu Agbo, the Land Committee Chairman, Chief Andy Egbo, the Town Union President as well as Igwe Mike Nnukwu, the Traditional Ruler of the Community, warned that the real estate firm should be mindful of the efforts of the State Government, through the Chijioke Edoga -led Obeagu / Amechi / Private Estates (AKA Centenary City) Land Dispute Resolution Committee, set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to ensure a peaceful resolution to the myriad of rising concerns on the disputed land.

In a related development, Ozo Okwudili Agah of Amechi Awkunanaw reacting to the same publication by the Private developer expressed shock as to how anyone could wake up to procure a Certificate of Occupancy covering their ancestral lands without any form of interaction with them and without any compensation whatsoever.

He said, “How the developer can be claiming that the Enugu State Government gifted him our entire community even when they have failed to remit a dime to the government in question is funny.

“Now that the Enugu State Government has realised the anomalies, it revoked the C of O almost a year ago and the man is busy making misleading publications laying claims to the same land?

“I call on all our peace loving Amechi people to remain steadfast and resolute against all forms of operation and intimidation as the truth will always prevail.

“We want to use this medium to appeal to the IGP, Adamu Mohammed, not to allow these mischief makers bring his organisation to disrepute as they have now engaged the services of decommissioned Special Anti-Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to frame my people and imprison them so as to grab our land from us.” (Daily Independent)

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