₦airaland Forum

The traditional ruler of Okahia Autonomous Community in the Obingwa council area of Abia State, Eze Okey Ananaba, has raised the alarm over what he described as the security threats posed by the massive land acquisition by suspected herdsmen in some communities in the area.

He stated that the destruction of farm crops and possession of illegal arms like AK-47 rifles by the herders had aggravated tension in the rural communities as the herdsmen threatened to kill the vigilantes and farmers who challenged them.

Ananaba raised the alarm during a sensitization visit/ town hall meeting by the officials of the Greater Aba Development Authority, GADA, in his community. He expressed concern that suspected herders have already acquired over 5,000 plots of land in strategic border communities such as Mgboko Umuanunu, near the boundary with Akwa Ibom state and Akpaa Mbato community behind the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, NINLAN, Ovom, Aba.

He said, “We are concerned that suspected herders have already acquired over 5,000 plots of land in strategic border communities such as Mgboko Umuanunu, near the border with Akwa Ibom state and Akpaa Mbato community behind the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, NINLAN, Ovom, Aba.

There are other massive land acquisitions in other communities in Obingwa LGA and environs.

“These land acquisitions pose serious security threats and could be used as operational bases for violent attacks on residents. We don’t know the reason behind the acquisition of these massive land areas in most communities in Obingwa LGA.

The monarch disclosed that traditional rulers in the area had petitioned the Abia State Government over ongoing land transactions several times several times but lamented that nothing had been done to check the ugly trend.

“Traditional rulers in Obingwa LGA have petitioned the Abia State Government to halt the ongoing land transactions. But our efforts have been ignored, this continues to threaten the people and raising fears of impending violence. Traditional rulers are the people at the rural communities, the government should give urgent attention to any report from us because we feel the pain. We are the eye of the government in our communities.”

He called on Governor Alex Otti to investigate the trend of massive land acquisitions in Obingwa council to prevent a repeat of the bandits and herdsmen’s violent attacks on indigenes of communities as being witnessed in Benue and Plateau States, which have resulted in loss of lives and displacement of villagers.

Some of the people who spoke at the town hall meeting alleged that some traditional rulers in the areas are behind the massive acquisition of lands by herders and urged the government to stop the practice of registering massive lands in the communities without investigating land use.

Ezewuzie01:
Alex Otti and his Obedient supporters have overlooked the herdsmen ravaging Abia state and taking large chunks of land to add to the lives they cut short, as they prefer to cry over Benue people's plight.

AmiableMosquito:
There is nothing like herdsmen in Abia. This news is the handiwork of Lagos-Ibadan media houses.

Only Benue and Plateau are under attack. ESN has chased all herdsmen out of Abia. Abia is one of the most peaceful (if not the most peaceful) states in Nigeria.

That is why we mocked those in Benue few days ago. That's why our Master Giringory is more concerned about Benue. Please all these hay-way-do journalists should not use their mouth and pen to introduce herdsmen attack to Abia State biko.

Otti is the best Governor. Alia is just useless.

Ezewuzie01:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/abia-monarch-raises-the-alarm-over-massive-land-acquisition-by-herdsmen-in-obingwa/

Guyman02:
They are buying the land which is not a big issue as long as they don't encroach on other people's land.
If you check it's Igbos acquiring the land and employing Fulanis to rear the cattle but also Fulanis are notorious for taking the cows outside the boundary perhaps out of boredom or due to their nomadic culture

Ezewuzie01:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/abia-monarch-raises-the-alarm-over-massive-land-acquisition-by-herdsmen-in-obingwa/

Ambassadors:
Eater states are going g to be the worst to be hit by herdsmen. Also the south east states if you like let the government not quickly establish local vigilantes people will surely be burnt to ashes. Those that haven't been affected don't worry it will soon reach your turn. Jihad aka 3rd world war is already on going in Nigeria