Tension flared in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, as residents of Umuoyima Autonomous Community organized a peaceful protest against the government’s takeover of the old Timber and Allied Market, commonly referred to as Ogbosisi, located along Wetheral Road.
Participants in the demonstration included elders, youths, and women, who displayed placards with messages like “Government, leave our ancestral land” and “This is where our ancestors were buried.”
Elder Godwin Ofurum, Chairman of the Elders’ Council, voiced concerns to reporters, stating that the community gathered in response to reports of impending actions by the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) to seize the area. He clarified that the land was initially given to the government for the establishment of the market by the Umuoyima community.
After the market was relocated to Naze, the community sought the return of the land, which was officially granted by the government in 2007. Ofurum referenced a letter dated May 21, 2007, from the then Director of Lands, which approved the land’s release to the Umuoyima community for a private development known as the “Umuoyima South Pocket Layout.”
According to Ofurum, subsequent administrations have honored this agreement, raising concerns regarding the current government’s intentions. “This land has never been contested. No administration has attempted to reclaim it from us. We approached Governor Hope Uzodimma before he took office to purchase the land, but he declined. We are questioning if this decision is truly his or the actions of officials acting independently,” he stated.
Chief Obinga Mbanu, the Traditional Prime Minister of the community, emphasized the community’s refusal to relinquish their land. However, reports indicate that OCDA officials, accompanied by security forces, arrived at the market site and fired gunshots into the air to disperse the protesters while bulldozers began demolishing shops and stalls. Traders struggled to salvage their goods amid the chaos, and several injuries were reported.
The Imo State Government had previously announced demolition plans for the old market, with OCDA General Manager Frank Nkem stating that the action followed a 21-day ultimatum for traders to vacate the premises. He highlighted the site’s transformation into a hub for criminal activities, including gun-running and drug trafficking.
“Despite the official relocation of traders to Naze Industrial Market years ago, some individuals have stubbornly refused to comply,” he remarked. As of this report, the demolition process is ongoing, with security personnel deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent further protests.
