Nimo Indigenes Protest Against Town Union Leadership Over Alleged Sale Of Community Land
By Joseph Egbeocha
Following alleged illegal sale of portions of a vast expanse of community farmland, Nimo indigenes have staged a protest against the leadership of Nimo Town Development Union.
The land in question was identified as “ana owa”, portions of which the protesters said have been sold to the tune of N900 million to even non-indigenes, without approval, accountability and or accruing benefits to the community.
Speaking to newsmen at Nimo, the leader of the protesters and former Chairman of Lagos branch of Nimo Town Development Union, Barrister Chuks Okonkwo, explained that the arbitrary sale of the Nimo commonwealth by the leadership of the town union was not in the interest of sustainable development of the community, adding that all efforts by concerned citizens to stop the action yielded no result.
He noted that the protesters are committed to sustainable peace in Nimo community, and that the protest was to prevent descent to anarchy, and ensure that principles of good governance hold sway in the community.
Barrister Okonkwo further alleged that widows at Oye market, Nimo were dispossessed of their means of livelihood, and their rented shops given out to the rich by the leadership of the town union.
Contributing, a 76-year old man from the community, Mr. Donatus Nkeechi, alleged that dissenting voices over the illegal actions in the community were silenced.
The protesters also alleged other administrative malfeasances against the leadership, and that machinery of the town union is being used to brazenly breach fundamental rights of Nimo indigenes, customs and traditions.
Reacting, the National Secretary of Nimo Town Development Union,Mr. Patrick Egbekpalu, who described the protesters as miscreants, said their allegations against the leadership of the community were unfounded, as the decision to develop the said land was taken by Nimo General Assembly as far back as 2012.
He reminded the protesters that there are channels of communication to follow and get clarification on issues, insisting that carrying on with the decision of Nimo General Assembly cannot be taken as illegal.
Contributing, the Traditional ruler of Nimo, Igwe Maxi Oliobi, who also described the protesters as confusionists trying to cause problem in Nimo, called on those alleging illegalities to ask relevant questions to authorities for clarifications, adding that his reign in Nimo has been peaceful.
Correspondent, Joseph Egbeocha reports that despite notice of peaceful protest and request for police protection by Concerned Citizens of Nimo Community, heavy presence of a combined team of security operatives, including the Army, Police and Civil Defence, disrupted the protest, and later stationed at strategic places in the community.
Meanwhile, an indigene of Nimo, Miss Ugochukwu Onyeka alleged that one of the security operatives deployed to the community over the protest seized her mobile phone while taking photos, and according to reliable source, it is not certain that the said phone has been released to the owner after the protest and as at the time of filing this report.
