The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu says the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration will not tolerate illegal land hijacking, especially one involving arms bearing.
Engr. Emetu stated this at the Government House when he met with a high-powered delegation from Amaoba Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area led by the Traditional Ruler, Eze Emmanuel Otuwa .
He noted that Government has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal land encroachment maintaining that Government will investigate the forceful hijacking of portions of land belonging to Amaoba Community and stressed that those responsible will face the full weight of the law.
The Deputy Governor, who is the Chairman, Abia State Boundary Committee assured the delegation that he will personally report the volatile situation to the Governor, for an immediate response in order to ensure that justice is served.
He further commended Eze Otuwa for his relentless efforts in maintaining peace and preventing bloodshed, adding that his leadership has been instrumental in keeping this situation from escalating into violence and reassured him that government will stand by him to ensure Amaoba’s land rights are fully protected.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and the Traditional Ruler of Amaoba Autonomous Community, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Eze Emmanuel Otuwa narrated that a small group of armed land raiders numbering about five have forcefully hijacked portions of land belonging to his Amaoba Community, particularly in Ajata, at gun point.
Eze Otuwa, revealed that the same individuals had previously usurped on Government College land, which the State Government demolished last year noting that same have returned illegally selling vast portions of Ajata, a boundary area between Amaoba and Olokoro.
Contributing, the delegation said that Amaoba’s land stretches beyond Olori and Isiala, covering over nine miles, and described the people of Amaoba as peace loving, while lauding their Eze’s proactive leadership and commitment to dialogue which have prevented full-scale crisis.
