By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE/ONYINYE OKECHUKWU

The youths of Nkwelle quarters in Ogidi, Anambra State, have alleged that the Idemili North LGA is encroaching on their land at Mgboko, near the Ogidi Stadium.

The youths, who were about 50 in number, stormed the Idemili North LGA headquarters at Ogidi late Thursday morning, November 14, 2024, brandishing placards and chanting war songs.

The placards bore inscriptions like ?Leave Our Land?, ?The land is ours?, ?Stop The Intimidation?, and others.

One of the leaders of the protesting youths, Chris Obi Okafor, said that the government?s commencement of activities on the disputed land prompted them to stage the protest.

He said that the dispute over the land had lingered for years, and that letters sent to the Idemili North LGA regarding the matter were not responded to.

Chief Okafor challenged the Idemili North LGA leaders to tender documents proofing that the disputed land belongs to Idemili North LGA.

He, however, said that the people of Nkwelle Ogidi are progressive-minded people, which informed their decision to donate acres of land to the government, on which sits the Ogidi High Court, Idemili North LGA Headquarters, EEDC office, the stadium, and others.

In response, a top Idemili North Local Government officer, who wants to remain anonymous, stood in for the Idemili North LGA Chairman, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, who was absent, and spoke to the protesters.

He advised the protesting youths to follow civil procedures in their fight for the ownership of the land, instead of going about the matter in a violent manner.

?Convey your grievances and complaints to the Idemili North local government chairman via letter, and he will relay it to Gov. Soludo?, he said.

The councillor for Ogidi ward, Hon. Obidike Ejide, chided them for their display of belligerence and intransigence, saying that the protest is unnecessary.

He said that they should explore peaceful way in resolving the matter by sending a letter to the Idemili North LGA Chairman, who, in turn, would convey their message to Gov. Soludo of Anambra State.

?Okoye and Okechukwu are Anambra State Ministry of Information staff.

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