Land Acquired 300 Years Ago By Conquest Throws Nimo To Disarray As Concerned Nimo Citizens Clashes Over Rights And Interest With Community Leaders.

By Ndife David - Awka.

The entire Nimo community was thrown into fear at the sight of good number of fully armed security operatives, who were all looking combat-ready with hooded faces as they stormed the popular "Oye Nimo" market in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State on Tuesday, 11th 2023 to halt a proposed protest by a group known as "Concerned Nimo Citizens " alleging illegal sales of community land by the town union leadership.

The youths had earlier gathered at the market square to peaceful demonstrate their disapproval over the activities of few rich people at the hem of affairs in the community according to them, held placards with different inscription demanding an overturn in decision and action of the town union leaders.

But the operatives arrived the oye market just in time to stop the protest, stating that the police were yet to receive notification of the proposed activity.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the leader of the protesters, a legal practitioner and also former chairman of the Lagos branch of Nimo Town Union, Bar Chucks Okonkwo stated that they had received clearance for the protest. He noted that they had communicated to the office of the Governor, the Commissioner for Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters, the Commissioner of Police, the Local government Chairman, the Chairman House Committee for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters, and other appropriate authorities prior to the protest.

In the same vein, Bar. Chuks outrightly accused the town leadership of illegally selling off a vast portion of the "Ana Owa" which belongs to the entire community to private individuals and even non indigenes for as much as 3.1 million naira per plot, adding that all efforts by concerned citizens to stop the action yielded no result.

He noted that the move was in line for the pursuit of peace for achieving good governance, accountable and sustainable development for the future of the people.

He further to accuse the town union leadership of illegally snatching market space from widows and selling the same to their rich folks who now rent it back to the same widows.

Lending his voice, a former special assistant to former governor Chief Willie Obiano, Comrade Chigbo Aniedobe in his explanation stated that the town has long been experiencing impunity of such accord.

He maintained that the protest was for the interest of their future, stating that the land Ana Owa as it was popularly known was changed to "Obodo Oma" to enable the accused sell off the land despite the call by the community to stop.

According to him, the town union leadership had earlier presented a verbal account of generating the sum of 900 million in the land sale activities in a annual general meeting which usually holds every december, but however reported to have spent 1.3 billion naira already without notice of transactions or accruing benefits to the community

Reacting, the National Secretary of Nimo Town Development Union, Mr. Patrick Egbekpalu, stated that the decision to develop the said land was taken as far back as 2012 by the entire Nimo General Assembly. He described the protesters as nuisance and mischievous individuals who seek only to create coarse in the society, and argued that their claims were ridiculous and unfounded.

Contributing, the Traditional ruler of Nimo, Igwe Ikechukwu Maximus Oliobi, described the allegations as embarrassing and disrespectful. He emphasized on peace and progress of Nimo as his major priorities since ascending the throne and stated that the said event has been transparent and adopted by the consent of every active member of the town union.

He advised the aggrieved persons to follow the right channels of communication and seek clarification on issues of contention rather than working tirelessly to create unnecessary strife in the society.

He also promised to continue on the path of promoting peace and better understanding for the progress and development of the community.