... Uzodimma, CP petitioned
By Prisca Nguzo
People of Owalla Community in Owerri North Council of Imo State have raised alarm following the invasion and wanton destruction of their ancestral homes and properties worth over Hundred Million of Naira by some persons who claimed to be agents of the state government.
This was as they called on the state governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma and the Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma to urgently intervene, investigate the matter and address what they described as the desecration of their community for unknown reasons.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the entire community over the incident, the President General, Chief Robinson Uwakwe condemned the incident, while describing it as inhuman and a socio-economic setback for the community.
Some of the destructions in pix
Our reporter who visited the community following the incident saw several ongoing building projects destroyed, some residential buildings partially tampered with and farm crops uprooted.
Narrating their ordeal, Uwakwe said, "on Tuesday, being 28th of January, some persons who looked more like thugs claiming to be agents of the state government, in company of some police officers, wielding guns and other sophisticated weapons invaded our community.
"Before we could understand their mission here, many of our ancestral houses and developmental projects have been wantonly destroyed by them. With the help of some hired labourers, they desecrated our lands and left us in ruins.
"We are so much pained by this atrocious act by whosoever. And considering the current economic situation in our country, you can imagine the damage this incident has caused us, especially the direct owners of the affected houses and properties.
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"In fact, some of our people who tried to question their action were almost beaten to death. I tell you, if not for our appeal for calm, our youths would have lynched them and there would have been blood bath here."
"So I want to call our state governor, Sen Hope Uzodinma who had earlier told us that the government was not interested in our land for any reason, to look into this incident and address it for the good of our people and the state at large.
"We also call on the Commissioner of Police to investigate it, identify the perpetrators and ensure that they face the full wrath of law for their inhuman action on us. Our people demand justice and are ready to fight for justice over this." Uwakwe appealed.
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When contacted, the Police Spokesman in the state, DSP Henry Okoye said the Command were yet to receive any report of the incident. He promised to respond as soon as he receive any information regarding the incident.
Recall that Governor Uzodimma had in a recent nationwide phone-in programme warned against land grabbing in the state. He reassured his government commitment to recover all land acquired illegally or forcefully taken from the people and to return them to the rightful owners.
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