The people of Amanato Eziama Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, on Tuesday, protested the arrest of their community leader and youths by security agents

The women who barricaded the Abia State Government House on Tuesday, carrying placards, said that male members of the community are now afraid to be in the community because of incessant arrests by security personnel.

Speaking through Madam Janeth Nwankwo, the women traced the arrest to a decades-old land dispute with their neighbours, stressing “the land matter is presently before the Court of Appeal in Owerri”.

Abia. Protest

The protesters carried placards. Photo: Sunday Nwakanma.

Some indigenes of the community, Madam Nwankwo said, including Christian Obidike, Chidiebube Alaebo, Oliver Maduwugwu, and Chibuzor Nwafor, among others, were arrested and taken away by security personnel, adding “the President General of our community, Simon Ndubuisi, was recently released after spending two weeks inside Police custody”.

She stated, “Because of these incessant arrests, our youths and husbands are now hiding inside the bush while others travel out in fear”, and therefore pleaded with Gov. Alex Otti to “intervene in the matter as we will continue to support his administration”.

In its response, the state government assured the women that it would carry out an investigation into the matter, urging them to maintain peace with their neighbours, Umuacha Umuobi Autonomous Community.

The Chief of Staff to Abia State governor, Caleb Ajagba, who represented the state government, promised that the land matter would be investigated, adding, “the state government would also listen to the story of the Umuacha Umuobi people in order to arrive at an amicable resolution of the matter.”

Ajagba thanked the women for applying a peaceful means of presenting their case, and for not resorting to violence, stating, “We have listened to your complaints. We will take your messages to the governor and we promise that the matter will be looked into because this government believes in the welfare of the people.” (The PUNCH)

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