Urum Community Cries Out Over Alleged Illegal Land Takeover, Seeks Government Intervention

Urum, an agrarian community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been thrown into tension following allegations of illegal land acquisition involving some suspected miscreants in the community and a non-indigene identified as Kinsley Chukwuemeka, popularly known as Nwagunataghighia.
Indigenes of the community claim the lands were sold without the consent of the rightful owners, leaving many families unable to access their farmlands. They also allege that the disputed areas are now surrounded by armed security personnel, reportedly deployed by the buyer, preventing farmers from entering lands they say belong to them.

The development has reportedly disrupted farming activities in the area and heightened fear among residents whose major sou

rce of livelihood depends on agriculture.

The development has reportedly disrupted farming activities in the area and heightened fear among residents whose major source of livelihood depends on agriculture.

Speaking during an interview with journalists in the state on March 11, 2026, the President-General of Urum Community, Hon. Sir Felix Godwin Oranye, described the situation as a serious challenge confronting the community.
According to him, the activities surrounding the disputed lands have created fear, accusations and counter-accusations among residents.
“A man entered our community and began to bulldoze our lands. What started as a land dispute has now turned into serious accusations and counter accusations. It has caused great suffering for my people and even forced some residents to leave the community,” he said.

Hon. Oranye further alleged that security operatives were being used to intimidate members of the community.

“The man moves around with armed security personnel and they go from house to house picking people. I have raised this concern publicly and I believe the government is aware of what is happening, but I am surprised that up till now he has not been called to order,” help added.
The President-General also recalled a publication released on February 16, which he described as a false accusation made against him.
He alleged that some community officials were arrested and tortured in an attempt to force them to make statements against him and the community leadership.
“Our commander was seriously injured while they tried to force him to agree to what was false. Even the vice chairman of the land committee was tortured until blood came out of his ears. They even forced our commander to sign an empty sheet and under duress,” he said.
Hon. Oranye noted that the matter had been reported to higher authorities, including the police monitoring unit, adding that investigations reportedly did not establish the allegations made against him.

Also speaking, the Vice President-General of the community, Hon. Okwudilim Emmanuel Ujah, said community leaders had earlier met with the alleged buyer and advised him to retrieve his money from those who sold the land to him, insisting that the land in question was not for sale.
According to him, the meeting involved elders, youths and women of the community, but the advice was not heeded.
“Shortly after that meeting, our people began to experience arrests and intimidation. Our commander and the vice chairman of the land committee were picked up, and it took us days before we discovered that one of them was in SARS custody,” he said.

Hon. Ujah appealed to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to urgently intervene and restore peace in the community.

Chairman of the Urum Land Committee, Bro. Aaron Okafor, also told journalists that the committee first became aware of activities on the disputed land in January, when they noticed heavy machinery working on the farmland known as Ochiokwa.
According to him, when members of the committee visited the site, they met a man who identified himself as Nwagunataghighia, claiming he had the authority to be there.
“We asked him to show us the documents for the land, but up till now he has not presented any. Instead, the land has been fenced and guarded by security operatives, preventing our women from accessing their farms,” Okafor said.
He added that the situation was particularly worrying as the farming season is approaching, urging the government to act quickly to prevent further hardship for residents.
Some affected villagers also shared their concerns.
Mr. Godwin Onyeibo from Umumadimu in Umuezeakiteri said the lands in question were preserved for future generations and were never meant for sale.
“Those lands are for our children to inherit. We are appealing to our working governor to come and save us from this situation. The man should go back to those who sold the land to him and collect his money,” he said.
A resident, Mrs. Juliana Anene from Umudo village, lamented that women and children in the community are now afraid to visit their farmlands.
“Our farms are surrounded by soldiers. These lands are meant for raising our children. Now we cannot even go there to farm. The government should please come to our aid or we will suffer hunger,” she said.
Other residents who spoke also appealed to the Anambra State Government and relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the situation and ensure that peace and lawful ownership of land are restored in the community.
The people of Urum say they remain hopeful that the government will intervene swiftly to resolve the dispute and prevent further tension in the area.