AWKA – After 70 years of land dispute with its neighbouring Ezinano village in Awka South local council area, Obunagu-Achalla community of Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka local council area has finally decided to seek for peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The land in question, known as Agu Nawgu is an abandoned ancestral land of Nawgu Community which relocated from the area.
Years after, the two Communities began to lock horns over ownership of the land.
But at the weekend, elders of Obunagu Achalla community of Enugwu-Agidi commenced a peace process to end the protracted land dispute with their neighbouring Ezinano village-Awka neighbours.
Elders of Obunagu-Achalla while addressing the press said they were tired of holding grudges with the people of Ezinano over the land in contention.
Speaking about the land where 14 journalists escaped death when they went to cover the community youths protesting the occupation of the land by security operatives earlier in the year, the elders said the case has been in Court since 1954.
They took turns to narrate their ugly experiences that necessitated the peace moves.
Ichie Wilson Okeofor, 98 years old, recalled absence of peace since 1954 when the case was instituted in London.
“We have spent money over litigation and finally decided to engage into peace negotiations with the Ezinano community.
“We are no longer interested in shooting and maiming over land matters but have finally wished to unite with Awka people. Those people that are trying to thwart this peace initiative know themselves in the community and they gain much through their selfish approach, “Okeafor said.
Also speaking, Elder Cyprian Odogwu, 89 years, stated that they have spent fortunes fighting for the land without gaining anything.
Similar story was narrated by Ozo Ozoemena Obiora Okeke, 72 years, who narrated his bitter experience when some of the indigenes that don’t welcome the peace approach started threatening his life.
He said he nearly paid with his life when he was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen sent by those that reap from the troubled water.
It was at that point that they invited Ozo Jeff Nweke with his Ezinano people to their place where he told them that the land they were fighting for did not worth anybody’s life.
Ozo Jeff Nweke urged them to stop harassing people with Fulani herdsmen and police. There and then, they sought for peace between Ezinano and Obunagu-Achalla communities .
Also speaking, Elder Cyprian Odogwu, 89 years, stated that they have spent fortune over fighting for the land without gaining anything.
“Until 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 bent on not 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 a crisis in the land. However, we separated ourselves from those trouble makers and solicited peace with Awka people for our future generations,” Odogwu said.
However, the youths and women interviewed unanimously supported the peace move, praying for the wisdom to end the crisis that has led to economic stagnation and destruction of properties worth millions of naira in the area.
They pointed accusing fingers at some prominent personalities who benefit from the crisis and try to frustrate the peace initiative.
When contacted, the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Agidi community, Igwe Michael Okeke- Uche said it would be subjudice for him to comment on the matter as the land case is still in court.
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