BY AWELE OGBOGU
Indigenes of Isheagu, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, comprising several elders, women and youths staged a peaceful protest, against the purported transfer of their ancestral lands containing shrines, deities and plantations to Ewulu, a neighbouring community.
The protesters drew the attention of road users on the Asaba-Ughelli expressway, with angry chants and solidarity songs, while displaying placards with inscriptions such as “We Reject Attempt to cede Isheagu Ancestral Lands to Ewulu, “Land Grabbers Beware, Isheagu is not for Sale, “Stay away from Isheagu Land”, among others.
The protest, which began at the Palace of HRM, Obi Onyenia II of Isheagu kingdom, culminated at the disputed area, with visible sight of shrines, which the protesters claimed was proof that the disputed land belonged to Isheagu.
A petition jointly signed by the Ozoma of Isheagu, Chief Austin Modebe, Amibor of Isheagu, Chief Stephen Uwafili, Oziba of Isheagu, Chief Kenneth Nkitikaokwu, Onologwu Osha of Isheagu, Chief Christopher Mazi, Ogwude of Isheagu, Chief Gabriel Ozakpo and Odogwu of Isheagu, Chief Innocent Uwafili and addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, read “Ewulu encroached on our land, compelling us to seek government’s intervention. We complied fully, submitting maps, documents, and shrine locations, whereupon Chief Edwin Uzor, SA to the governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution marked a temporary boundary, while instructing both communities to stay away from the disputed lands until an agreeable and permanent resolution was reached.
“Despite this, Ewulu armed men attacked Isheagu, inflicting gunshot injuries on our people and destroying part of the bridge over Mgbalamgba River, a vital infrastructure. “Now, 80 per cent of the disputed land, including our shrines and farms belong to Ewulu. The principal land under contention where both communities have farmed side by side for generations was handed over to Ewulu without any consultation or consideration of Isheagu’s stake. More egregiously, vast portions of our ancestral land, where not a single Ewulu man has ever cultivated, were equally ceded to Ewulu. “Sacred lands of Umuoma Isheagu, housing deities and shrines of profound spiritual significance, were carved away and allotted to Ewulu. “Therefore, we urgently demand the following: “Restoration of the original temporary boundary, pending a truly fair and agreeable resolution, without sacrificing any portion of Isheagu territory, protection of our shrines, farms and ancestral lands from appropriation or destruction and deployment of security personnel to shield Isheagu from further aggression and ensure peace.”
When contacted for his reaction, Uzor told The Pointer that his office is in the process of brokering peace between the two communities and that no land was taken from one and given to another, while expressing hope that the dispute will be resolved amicably. Meanwhile, some youths from Ewulu visited The Pointer headquarters in Asaba yesterday to respond to the protest by Isheagu community, but turned round to say they wanted to consult with their monarch and lawyer before making any responses.
