Residents belonging to the Divine Heaven Amalgamated Landlords Association in Ifite-Nteje, Oyi local government area of Anambra State, took to the streets to voice their discontent over the destruction of their properties. According to report by Vanguard News published on July 3 2024, Suspected youths from the community were reportedly responsible for the demolitions, driven by their dissatisfaction with the alleged illicit sale of lands by their elders.
Following the decision of former Governor Chief Willie Obiano to establish the airport in Umueri, the value of land in the vicinity experienced a significant surge. Capitalizing on this opportunity, approximately 70 associations acquired land in strategic positions along the airport road. Numerous buildings were already under construction when they were recently razed to the ground. Among the casualties was a multimillion-naira hotel located in close proximity to the Anambra Airport, now known as Chinua Achebe Airport.
During the protest, both men and women held aloft placards bearing diverse inscriptions that articulated their grievances. They contended that certain individuals were seeking to exploit them despite having adhered to all the necessary requirements for land acquisition.
Chief Patrick Maduegbuna, the chairman of the association, spearheaded the protest and appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene promptly, aiming to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the area. Maduegbuna elucidated that the land transaction took place in 2019, and the association commenced development after fulfilling the requisite payment. However, without any prior warning, their properties were demolished, with the reasoning that the land deal had been rescinded. The association was then instructed to repurchase the land or provide additional funds. Frustrated by such demands, the landlords chose the path of peaceful protest rather than resorting to violence.
Nwako Maduka, the association's secretary, stressed that all the mandatory fees had been duly paid, and the documents were signed by the very individuals who were now attempting to invalidate the land sales. He expressed bewilderment over the sudden reversal of their stance.
In response, Chief Ikechukwu Erikeife, the chairman of the Ifite-Nteje land management committee, disclosed that young men who had previously sold their plots were now attempting to resell the same land. He attributed the confusion in Ifite-Nteje to land grabbing driven by avaricious motives for quick financial gain. Erikeife assured that the developers had acquired the land through legitimate means and vowed to investigate the situation, considering that the protesters were unable to afford repurchasing the land.
Ngoesina Okechukwu, the secretary of the Ifite-Nteje land management committee, refuted the allegations made against the community leaders, dismissing them as meddling interference from outsiders. Okechukwu insisted that Ifite-Nteje had a well-established process for appointing its own leadership.