Bloody Unrest Brews In Anambra Community

From Nweke Nweke, Awka

The sleepy Umudike community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state has cried to the government of the State and world in general, seeking for an aid, aimed at ensuring that moneybags did not retrieve their rights of existence following the purported intension by few people who claim to have instrument(s) of power and intimidation in Ihiala to undue the rural dwellers.

It would be recalled that Umudike community is blessed with an expanse land and a valley which is believed to be the fifth biggest valley in the world.

The valley stretches from Umudike stretches to Okija. Inside the valley are four natural springs, Ugoloma, Agbaobu, Okpu and Owereokweonye. Ugoloma natural spring – and is believed by the locals to have some healing virtues as the sick ones normally resort to bathing with the water from the spring to get their healings. And it is claimed to be over two hundred years old.

The streams were actually sources of water for Umudike residents and the neighboring communities as people were still seen going to fetch water at Ugoloma spring in spite of the rugged and sloppy terrain of the area.
Recently, the equilibrium and stability of the sleepy community was perturbed as it was alleged that a powerful and dreaded politician in the area (Names withheld) working in connivance with some other elements have perfected plans to hand twist, deceive and pretentiously take the land free from the people  of Umudike and sell the age long heritage of the town to foreign investors without carrying the owners along.

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Speaking when contacted, a community leader of Umudike, Chief Uchenna Nsofor(EzealaDike Umudike) pointed out that trouble started when some elements from the town came to discuss with the community about six months ago on the need to attract foreign investor to the valley and develop it after which it would be handed over to the community.

Ezealadike said the representatives of the community were initially going with the people who muted the idea to measure and survey the large expanse of land so that the investors being attracted would fully know the value of the land that would be at their disposal if negotiations sail, through. It was presented to the community that the mover was also to ensure that the delicate topography and ecosystem of the area are carefully handled as the entire community could be washed away by flood should the valley is not carefully and properly handled during construction works.

“It is not just about bringing investors, we intend to do a thorough environmental impact assessment of everything that would be on that portion of land and the valley because our lives and those of our unborn children are at stake.”
He however noted that midway into that discussion, the music suddenly changed to a war song as the facilitators allegedly stopped carrying the community leaders along in the negotiations on the reserved land and valley.

“Every attempt to call these cabals to order fell on their deaf ears as they resorted to divide and rule tactics, intimidation and outright threat to muzzle the people of Umudike into submission. We have ten villages in Umudke and the elders of these ten villages have now realized the real intentions of the facilitators which are simply to swindle the people of their land and heritage at Okpunodike-Akabue.” Ezealadike alleged.

The community head of Umudike alleged that the facilitators have already opened internet and Facebook  accounts to advertise their company and the land without the consent of the community leaders who are still demanding to know the terms and condition attached to the transaction.

Ezealadike Nsofor  warned investors most especially those abroad to be wary of anyone dangling the carrot of Okpunodike-Akabue land in Umudike before them as the community would not allow anybody no matter how strong they think they are to swindle the sleepy community of their age long heritage.

“I particularly want to warn the whites and the entire Ihiala people in Diaspora that any one who enters into any kind of agreement on Umudike land with the dubious outfit is doing so at his or her own risk. Our precious land and valley can only be released to any investor after thorough discussions on terms and conditions of the intended transaction and definitely not through the dubious ones parading themselves as our agents.”

Ezealadike Nsofor said that the community leaders are worried because the latest development has led to an unnecessary tension in the area and that he decided to speak out before the issue degenerate and snowball into full blown violence since according to him “Nobody has the monopoly of violence.”

Reacting to a question on if Okpunodike-Akabue is in dispute over ownership, Chief Uchenna Nsofor stated that the issue of ownership tussle was finally settled by the Supreme Court on 18th April, 2008 when Justice G.A Oguntade handed down a land mark judgment, having ruled that the land area being allegedly trespassed by those in question belongs to Umudike clan after thirty two years of legal fireworks.

Clearing 247ureports.com on the matter, Chief Christopher Odozie said that the locals have been using the natural environment for terrace farming, for those who have strength at no cost. He said the locals cut bamboo in the valley and sell to neighboring communities and their domestic use.

He pointed out that the community believe that River Niger took its source from one of the rivers in the valley before it was angered by ritual practices which made it to flee to Onitsha and that many people ran to the valley from Onitsha and other communities to take refuge in the natural vegetation cover provided by the valley during the Nigeria civil war of 1967-1970.

“People from all over Igboland were taking refuge in this valley during the war, people used to move to the place as early as 5.00am and stay there until its dusk so that they would not be detected by the federal forces.” Odozie claimed.

This may be the singular reason why the defunct Biafran government established the Bank of Biafra at the edge of the valley.

Odozie said that the plans of the community were to set up a tourist/resort center in the valley because of its uniqueness with the aim of making the proceeds from the transaction beneficial to everyone in Umudike.