Tension in Enugu as Community, Residents Protest Alleged Land Grabbing by Goverent backed Energy Firm

Tension in Enugu as Community, Residents Protest Alleged Land Grabbing by Goverent backed  Energy Firm

Hundreds of angry residents of Ugwuto, a peaceful community in Nsude, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, took to the streets on Monday in a massive peaceful protest against what they described as “forceful and illegal acquisition” of their ancestral land by a private company, Enpower Energy Limited.

The protesters, made up of men, women, and youths, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Our Land, Our Heritage,” “We Say No to Land Grabbing,” and “Government Must Hear Our Cry.” They marched through major roads in the community, chanting solidarity songs and calling on both the Enugu State Government and the Federal Government to intervene before the situation escalates into violence.

According to the residents, the land in question, which spans several hectares, has been a vital part of their heritage for generations. They allege that Enpower Energy Limited entered the community and began clearing the land under heavy security presence without proper consultation or compensation.

Speaking during the protest, one of the community leaders, Chief Boniface Ozo, described the company’s action as “a direct attack on the livelihood and identity of the Ugwuto people.” He said the community had written several letters to relevant authorities but received no response.

> “We are not against development or investment,” Chief Ozo said. “But we cannot allow a company to take over our ancestral land without due process. Our people farm, build, and survive on this land. We are asking the government to investigate Enpower Energy’s activities and stop this injustice.”

A youth leader, Mr. Nnamdi Eze, accused the company of operating with impunity and called on Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

> “They came here with bulldozers and armed security men and started clearing our farmlands,” Eze alleged. “They told us the government had given them approval, but nobody from our community was informed. We have been peaceful, but they are pushing us to the wall.”

Some women protesters, visibly emotional, lamented that the ongoing activity by the company had destroyed their farmlands and economic trees. They appealed to human rights organizations and traditional rulers across the state to come to their aid.

Mrs. Amaka Ugwu, a widow and farmer, told reporters that the loss of her farmland has thrown her family into hardship.

> “That piece of land is all I have,” she said tearfully. “I feed my children from the crops I grow there. Now, everything has been bulldozed. We want justice.”

Efforts to get a response from Enpower Energy Limited were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls and messages sent to the company’s representatives were not returned.

Meanwhile, sources within the Enugu State Ministry of Lands confirmed that the government is aware of the dispute and has called for an emergency meeting with representatives of both the community and the company to resolve the matter amicably.

Security operatives were seen around the protest area to prevent any possible breach of peace, although the demonstration remained largely peaceful throughout.

As the tension continues to mount, observers are calling on the state government to ensure transparency and fairness in addressing the crisis. Many fear that if not properly handled, the situation could worsen and lead to clashes between the community and company workers.

The protest highlights a growing trend of land-related disputes in Enugu and other parts of southeastern Nigeria, where residents often accuse private investors and government agencies of taking over communal lands without adequate consultation or compensation.

For now, the people of Ugwuto Nsude say they will continue to protest peacefully until their voices are heard and their land is returned to them.