By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Scores of natives from Umuodu village, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Tuesday stormed the Agu-Awka Government House to protest alleged destruction of their farmlands by suspected thugs from Ezinano village, also in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters drawn from over 20 villages with placards with different inscriptions also protested alleged attack and shootings of members of the community.

Some of the inscriptions read, “Our farmland not for sale,”, “This is pure injustice, God is watching”, “Ezinano Awka invade our lands with thugs, bulldozers”, “Umuodu village in total danger”.

The village chairman, Nweke Fabian, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said the community has lost several hectares of land to the community.

According to him, they resorted to a peaceful protest as the only option as they lacked the power to fight back,

While appealing to the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to come to their rescue, he lamented that there has been an incessant sale of their lands and shooting.

He added: “They are terrorising us. There is incessant sale of our lands, shooting all over the place. That’s the reason why we’re here to let our governor know what we are going through.

“They have intimidated us, they have humiliated us, they have pushed us to the wall. Our children have no future, no place to live, our stream has been destroyed by Ezinano.

“Ezinano community claimed the land was given them by their forefathers, but there’s judgement already on the land by African Court of Appeal since 1943.

“Since four days, they have been using gun. One of our brother, Daniel who went to his farm yesterday with his wife was beaten by the thugs”.

Addressing the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, commended them for their peaceful disposition.

He gave assurance that there will be an amicable resolution of the crisis.