Crisis brews as 2 Anambra communities fight over farmlands

Farmers and stakeholders in Nibo community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State have lamented the destruction of their farmlands by neighbouring Awka community.

They appealed to federal and state governments to urgently come to their rescue by constituting joint boundary committee to look into an ongoing land dispute between them and the Awka community.

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The traditonal ruler of Nibo, Igwe Micheal Ngene, said that the call became necessary following the destruction of farmlands and economic trees by some youths allegedly from their neighbouring Awka community.

There have been increasing communal clashes between various communities in Anambra state occasioned by boundary disputes and land matters, according to Igwe Ngene, who added that the situation had led to loss of lives and destruction of farm crops.

He said, “the people of Nibo are calling on the federal and state governments to urgently intervene in the recent invasion and destruction of their ancestral lands by some youths said to be from Awka community.”

Describing the incident as unfortunate, Ngene stated that they had written series of letters to concerned authorities but have not received the needed attention.

He, however, said that the Inspector General of Police had sent a fact finding team to the community, but regretted that they have not seen the report and appealed that the outcome of the visit be made public.

Two farmers in the community, Chief Keneth Aniemena and Mrs Adaobi Ekwunife, noted that cash crops including palm trees, plantain, cassava, yam, among others were destroyed with bulldozer, leaving them in a helpless condition.

The Deputy President General of the community, Deacon Bertram Anene and another farmer, Mrs Ifeyinwa Eke, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to also come to their rescue with some crops and food as their only means of surviving had been destroyed.

Reacting, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee for Awka community, Mr Chike  Obuekwe, explained that the matter was already before the supreme court and called on the affected villages to sheath their sword to enable stakeholders look into it.