A serious land dispute has emerged in the Ezioha Mgbowo community located in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, as residents accuse unidentified private developers of taking over ancestral farmland under questionable circumstances.
Community leaders are now urging the state governor, Peter Mbah, to establish an investigative panel to uncover the truth behind the alleged leasing of the land.
The appeal was made in a statement issued by Jeffrey Ndubeze on behalf of the Mgbowo Stakeholders Forum.
According to the statement, the community is troubled by what it described as a secret and hostile attempt to take control of land traditionally owned and used by residents for farming and economic activities.
Community representatives alleged that the land dispute escalated in December 2025 when bulldozers and other heavy equipment moved into the farmland at Ugwunzu without prior notice to residents.
The machines reportedly began clearing crops and cutting down economic trees cultivated by villagers, many of whom depend on the farms for their daily livelihood.
Residents claim that the bulldozers were operating under the supervision of an individual popularly known as “Osama.”
According to local leaders, several attempts were made to resolve the situation peacefully before tensions escalated further.
The traditional ruler of Ekpulato Mgbowo, HRH Igwe Gregory Ikwuagwu Ituma, reportedly reached out to the individual supervising the operation in an effort to halt the destruction and initiate dialogue.
However, the community alleged that the attempt at peaceful engagement was rejected.
Witnesses said the farmland destruction affected several families, particularly widows and elderly residents who rely heavily on the land for food and income.
Crops such as cassava, maize, and vegetables were reportedly destroyed, while economic trees that took years to grow were cut down within a short period.
Community members explained that the land dispute has caused deep anxiety among residents who fear losing their ancestral land permanently if urgent action is not taken by the authorities.
The stakeholders also accused local government political leaders and security agencies of failing to respond appropriately despite repeated complaints.
According to them, requests for intervention from the police and other authorities did not produce meaningful results while the destruction was ongoing.
In their statement, the community questioned the legality of a purported 99-year lease agreement reportedly granted to private developers over the disputed land.
Residents insist that the land was originally acquired by the government for a federal housing development project several decades ago.
At the time the land was requested for the housing project, the Mgbowo community said an understanding existed that they would retain a 30 percent equity participation in the development as the host community.
However, the project was never completed and was eventually abandoned.
This development has raised concerns within the community about how the same land could allegedly be leased to private individuals for nearly a century without consultation with the community or proper approval from the state government.
The Mgbowo Stakeholders Forum therefore insists that the land dispute must be investigated thoroughly to determine whether due process was followed in granting the alleged leasehold.
Community members also questioned whether land originally acquired for a public purpose can legally be transferred or leased to private developers without renegotiating the agreement with the host community.
According to the residents, the situation only began to attract attention at the state level after the intervention of respected community leader General Okwudili Azinta.
His efforts reportedly helped bring the matter directly to the attention of Governor Mbah.
Following the intervention, the governor was said to have directed that all activities at the site be halted pending clarification.
Community leaders acknowledged this directive but stressed that suspending construction alone would not resolve the issues surrounding the land dispute.
They are therefore requesting a comprehensive investigation that will examine the legitimacy of the alleged lease agreement and the role played by different authorities in the matter.
The residents also want the state government to investigate allegations that police officers refused to document complaints or collect statements from community leaders who tried to report the destruction of their farmland.
According to the community, a transparent inquiry would help restore trust between residents and government institutions and protect the rights of host communities in future land transactions.
Many villagers fear that failure to properly resolve the land dispute could lead to prolonged tension and further conflict in the area.
For now, community leaders say they remain hopeful that the Enugu State Government will take decisive steps to uncover the facts and ensure justice for affected residents.
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