Security operatives at the Government House, Awka, woke up yesterday to behold masquerades and crowd of protesters from Umunya community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

This is coming on the heels of the report from the community that over 80 men have been sponsored by four men in the community as mercenaries to attack villagers who are opposed to their land business in Odumodu village Umunya. Consequent upon the report, children and women from Odumodu Enu and Odumodu Ana in Umunya community have fled their homes for fear of being attacked while about nine people have so far been attacked by suspected mercenaries who have being laying siege to the community.

Secretary of Odumodu Ana village, Mr Okwudili Ekene Okonkwo, said: “We are here at the Government House, Awka, to register our protest over the activities of four men in our community who have been involved in land grabbing and selling of our community land.

“As I speak with you our people are under siege by about 80 to 100 of them who were paid by these four men to molest and intimidate our people. Also speaking, an elder in the community, Ichie Wilson Obinna, told journalists that: “This is a crisis that started since 2011 and 2012 and our traditional ruler, Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje, tried to resolve this matter but these men refused.

“They have hired men to fight our people and a lot of the villagers have fled their homes and we now leave in fear.” Responding to their protest the Special Adviser to the governor on security and emergency Mr. Chikodi Anara, commended the protesters for not taking the law into their hands He however warned that government would not take kindly to any act that would be a threat to the peace in the area. He urged the state government to intensify security operations in and around Umunya community before it becomes too late. (Saturday Telegraph)

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