By Paul Eso
No fewer than 25 people on Wednesday, lost their lives while many others sustained various degrees of injuries following a violent land dispute that erupted in Mgbidi, the headquarters of Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, between members of the Ezewusim family, local land officials, and the wider community.
The crisis, reportedly began on Saturday, October 9, 2021, when a group of young men from the community allegedly trespassed onto a piece of land that members of Ezewusim family claim to belong to them.
The men, believed to be developers, were said to have purchased five acres of land from the Youth Community Development and the Village Foresters, which they intended to develop. However, the land’s ownership became a point of contention, sparking violent confrontations.
The conflict escalated over several days, as tensions between the community, the local land authority, and the Ezewusim family grew.
Eyewitnesses report that the violence was fierce, involving both physical clashes and the use of weapons, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 25 individuals, including both members of the Ezewusim family and local land officials.
The Imo State Police confirmed the incident, with Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Michael Abattam, providing details of the ongoing investigation.
According to the police, there were significant discrepancies in the land ownership documents from both parties, leading to confusion and false claims of ownership. These issues were reportedly at the root of the violent confrontation.
“After reviewing the situation, we discovered that the Ezewusim family did not possess all the necessary land documents to substantiate their claim to the land. Our investigation has also indicated that they were the initial aggressors in the violence that led to the deaths of several community members, including land authority officials,” Abattam stated.
The crisis has also raised serious concerns about the proper documentation of land ownership in the region. The police report suggests that both the Ezewusim family and local land officials failed to maintain accurate records, contributing to the confusion and ultimately the deadly confrontation.
In an effort to mediate the dispute, local traditional authorities had earlier intervened, holding deliberations with all parties involved. However, after careful review, the authorities ruled in favour of the developers, which had been seeking to develop the disputed land.
Despite the ruling, the situation remains volatile, with many residents of Mgbidi calling for better management of land disputes to prevent further loss of life and property.
Speaking to Newspoint, Chairman of Elders Forum of Mgbidi, Nze Mike Ekwem, decried the ugly situation and called for a more transparent and accountable process for land acquisition and dispute resolution in the community.
He said: “We shouldn’t be experiencing this kind of issues in this type and age. There should be a better way to resolve issues. The loss of life is totally uncalled for. The relevant security agencies should bring those responsible for this mayhem to book”.
While confirming that many suspects have been arrested, the police have vowed to continue their investigation and bring all the perpetrators of the violence to justice, noting that they are working with community leaders and other stakeholders to prevent further clashes and ensure that such a devastating dispute does not occur again.
