Anambra elders seek peace to end 70 yrs old land dispute

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By Madu Obi

Elders of Obinagu Achalla of Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka local government area, Anambra State, have commenced peace process to end 70 years old communal land dispute with their neighbouring Ezinano village, Awka, in Awka South local government area of the state.

Although the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Michael Okeke- Uche said it would be sub judice for him to comment on the matter as the land case is still in court, the elders, who spoke weekend, said they were tired of bearing grudges against the people of Ezinano over the land in contention.

The disputed 'Agu Nawgu' land has been in court since 1954 and some people are accusing some prominent personalities in the area of frustrating the peace initiative by the elders.

In their speeches on the peace initiative at Enugwu-Agidi community, the elders narrated their ugly experiences over the years as a result of the land dispute and vowed to do everything humanly possible to ensure that peace returned to the area during their lifetime.

Ichie Wilson Okeofor, 98 years old said: " We need peace because we have suffered for this land since 1954 when the case was instituted in London. We have spent money over litigation and have finally decided to go into peace negotiations with Ezinano community.

"We are no longer interested in shooting and maiming people over land matter, but have finally decided to unite with Awka people. Those trying to thwart this peace initiative know themselves in the community because they gain so much through crisis, but we can no longer give them any space ."

Also speaking, Ozoemena Obiora Okeke, 72 years, narrated his bitter experience by alleging that some of the indigenes who do not want the peace approach were threatening his life.

" I have been kidnapped by hoodlums sent by those that reap from the dispute. At a stage, we invited the leader of Ezinano Awka, Ozo Jeff Nweke, with his people to our place and he told us that the land we are fighting for does not worth anybody's life.

When he urged us to stop harassing people with kidnappers and police, we decided there and then, to seek for peace between Ezinano and Obunagu-Achalla communities.

Having chosen to make peace, those people that don't want this peace initiative to stand may face severe consequences as we may decide to drag them to the shrine."

Another elder, Cyprian Odogwu, 89 years, observed that they have spent fortunes fighting over the land without gaining anything, adding that there must be an end to any dispute.

"The spirit of God came upon some of us and we decided to have round table discussion to broker peace with Awka people. Unfortunately, there are some people that are hellbent not to achieve this peace initiative. Those people are responsible for selling our land anyhow without accounting for them.

You know, there are people in every society who benefit when there is crisis in the land. However, we separated ourselves from those trouble makers and solicited for peace with Awka people for our future generations." Odogwu said.

Many youths and women in the area have also joined the elders to support the peace move, praying for wisdom to end the crisis that had led to economic stagnation and destruction of properties worth million of naira in the area over the years.