- The President-General of Enugwu Agidi, Pius Nwankwo, and his Vice, Emeka Ementa, addressing security personnel guarding the land in dispute
Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East
AWKA, Anambra – Tension is mounting in Enugwu-Agidi, in the Awka Capital Territory of Anambra State, following a dispute between the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Green Garden Estate and the host community over alleged land acquisition.
The promoters of the estate project recently announced that they had secured a large expanse of land in Enugwu-Agidi for the construction of 800 duplexes.
In a public statement, the developers unveiled the name of the project as the NAF Green Garden Estate, describing it as strategically located within Enugwu-Agidi in the Awka Capital Territory.
According to the announcement, application forms for the estate are already available for purchase. The developers urged interested members of the public to make prompt payments to secure property in what they described as a serene, secure, and strategically positioned environment with significant investment potential.
The statement further outlined the proposed features and facilities of the estate to include: maximum security, proximity to a Nigerian Air Force base, a gated layout, asphalted roads, 24-hour power and water supply, Greche Nursery and Primary School, a shopping mall, a standard clinic, street lighting, a CCTV control room, a fire service station, and recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, lawn tennis court, basketball and volleyball courts, badminton courts, indoor sports facilities, and a five-a-side football pitch.
The estate was described as a prime real estate investment destination within the Awka Capital Territory.
Interested persons were directed to make further inquiries through Doman Strata Properties Ltd via the phone numbers provided in the announcement.
However, the leadership of Enugwu-Agidi has strongly opposed the project, alleging intimidation and unlawful occupation of communal land.
In a statement issued by Prince (Dr.) Chinedu Ikeanyi, the community accused one Marc Benito Ozigbo, described as a native of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government area and proprietor of Green Gardens Limited, of deploying armed military personnel to enforce control over disputed land.
Ikeanyi alleged that Ozigbo, through Green Gardens Limited, has taken over more than 150 plots of land in the Ezionugo area, near the boundary between Enugwu-Agidi and Nawgu, and stationed armed military personnel there on a round-the-clock basis.
“If those lands were rightfully and legally purchased from the community, why would armed military personnel be stationed there?” he queried.
He appealed to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to investigate the matter and intervene before the situation escalates.
According to Ikeanyi, the presence of armed soldiers on communal land is an indication of alleged illegal acquisition and high-handedness.
He argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not assign the military any role in resolving land disputes and questioned why military personnel would be deployed to a civilian community over a private estate project.
He further claimed that approximately two years ago, Ozigbo, allegedly working with suspected land grabbers and local youths, invaded Enugwu-Agidi farmlands and erected a signboard bearing the inscription, “Military Zone – Keep Off.”
The community leadership said its own inquiries to the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division in Enugu and the 302 Artillery Regiment in Onitsha did not confirm any official military project in the town, raising concerns that the name of the Nigerian military might be used without proper authorization.
Ikeanyi attributed the worsening land disputes in the area to longstanding internal challenges, including the activities of land speculators and youth groups allegedly involved in the sale of communal lands.
He also accused certain past town union officials of enabling land grabbing, thereby exacerbating tensions within the community.
He disclosed that on December 29, 2025, Enugwu-Agidi elected a new town union executive led by Chief Pius Nwankwo, who has pledged to tackle the problem of land grabbing.
According to him, the new administration has banned the entry of caterpillars, bulldozers, and other earth-moving equipment into community lands without prior approval.
Despite this directive, Ikeanyi alleged that Ozigbo and armed personnel have continued to clear ancestral lands in defiance of the ban.
The community leadership has once again called on Governor Soludo and the Anambra State Government to urgently intervene, investigate the alleged deployment of military personnel by a private individual, and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
“We are law-abiding citizens, but our patience is being tested. We urge the government to act swiftly to forestall any crisis,” Ikeanyi stated.
A man said to be representing the developer, accompanied by a military escort, addressed members of the community in a video but did not disclose his name. In his remarks, he assured residents that the company would not encroach on any portion of land it had not legally acquired and would also not relinquish any land it had lawfully purchased to any individual.
He appealed to the community to exercise patience and allow the matter to be resolved amicably, describing the project as a developmental initiative.
“We bought the land from members of the community and have paid for it, either partially or in full. We will not enter any portion of land not acquired by our company, and we will not allow anyone to encroach on the land we have legitimately purchased. This is a development project. We should be patient and address the issues accordingly,it is for development,” he said.
