Anambra Community Accuses Enugu State Government Of Illegal Arrests, Intimidation
By Amaka Onwuzulike
The leadership of Ozuu Village in Ndiukwuenu, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has appealed to the state government to intervene over alleged illegal arrests, detention and intimidation of its members by forest guards from Enugu State.
The appeal was made after a meeting convened to address the alleged harassment of villagers, with the leader of Ozuu Village, Chief Onyekachukwu Onwurah, alleging that some residents had been arrested and detained while working on their farms, with others reportedly abducted or killed.
Chief Onwurah called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene and engage his Enugu State counterpart to address the alleged incursions, stressing that Ndiukwuenu has historically remained part of Anambra State and that the boundary between the two states is clearly defined.
He further alleged that some villagers arrested in the course of the dispute had been left in detention without adequate legal representation, urging the relevant authorities to protect the rights and safety of affected residents.
The Secretary General of Ndiukwuenu Town Union, Mr Tochukwu Eketelu, and the Secretary of Ozuu Village Association, Prince Mathew Nwankwo, also expressed concern over the alleged intimidation and loss of lives, calling for the establishment of security posts or a police station in the area to protect residents and prevent further escalation.
The Land Committee Chairman of Ozuu Village Association, Prince Chike Nwankwo, said the community shares boundaries with Umuoru Ugwuoba and Ogbudu Nkwere Inyi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He alleged that the dispute intensified after the Anambra State Government identified the area as a new economic belt, with Enugu State subsequently laying claim to the area and asserting that Ndiukwuenu falls within its territory.
The community leadership appealed to the Anambra State Government to urgently intervene through appropriate legal, diplomatic and security channels to protect residents and resolve the boundary dispute peacefully.
