₦airaland Forum

*OWO TOWN UNDER SIEGE BY NIGERIAN ARMY*

_... Insist on annexing the entire community land through intimidation_

The peaceful agrarian town of Owo, comprising Owo and Mbulu Owo Autonomous Communities experience fear and apprehension from Monday July 21 through Saturday July 26, 2025 as men of Nigerian Army were parading the town with sophisticated weapons and professional surveyors, surveying the entire town.

Video evidence showed the military men in uniform started from Akpoga Nike, through Mbulu Owo, Owo and Ubahu communities - all the communities have common boundaries. Anonymous eye witnesses reported that the military men did not consult with any of the community leaders, nor did they inform the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Idodo Court Police Division on their purpose or mission in the town.

However, further information gathered by our correspondents showed that the town has been in dispute with the Nigeria Army. It is on record that in November 2016, The House of Representatives told the Ministry of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff to direct the Chief of Army Staff to restrict the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army from occupying a portion of land situated at Owo town of Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

This is as the Enugu State Government has said that the joint inspection it had with a team from 82 Division of the Nigerian Army to ascertain the claims of the acquisitions of the said land, revealed that “no beacons that correspond with the ones in the survey plans submitted by the Nigeria Army were found.”

The state government through Enugu State Ministry of Land and Urban Development, represented by Mr. Paul Nnaji, at the investigative hearing on the matter, further said: “That the position of the Ministry on the matter is that the Nigeria Army is not the legal owner of the land and cannot prove so as there are no official documents to support the claims of the respondent.”

The House’s directives were contained in the report it adopted sequel to a petition to it by Mbulu-Owo community through Chukwuemeka Ujam, who was then the member representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

According to the petition, the intention of the Army to occupy the area will amount to unwarranted invasion, displacement and a threat to eject the people of the community.

However, the Nigerian Army, in its response, submitted that the land was acquired by the force in the 1960s and 1970s, with the Army’s representatives, Major General A. B. Abubakar, saying the land had been encroached on by unidentified persons who were setting up beacons on it.

However, the then Nkem-Abonta-led Public Petitions Committee, in its findings, said: “The joint inspection tour of Owo town of Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State by officials of Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development; and Nigeria Army 82 Division Enugu, revealed that the land in dispute has no beacons, which corresponds with the ones on the Survey Plan the respondent presented to the Ministry.

“The Committee also notes that the position of Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Development on the matter is that it had no document or was aware of any acquisition transaction on the land in dispute between the parties.”

Our correspondents gathered that the Nigeria Army came back sometime early 2025, to start laying claim to the community lands. This prompted the leaders to approach the Enugu State High Court through their legal representative I. I. Ngene, esq where in Suit No: E/375/2025 under Hon Justice C. O. Ajah, PhD May 20, 2025 delivered an interlocking injunction restraining the Nigerian Army from entering, interfering, occupying, laying siege, or stopping or continuing with their entry, interference, siege or disturbance of the town until the determination of the substantive matter. Hence, the sighting of the Nigeria Army in the town not only amounts to disregard of Court order but an attempt to intimidate the people.

All attempts by our correspondents to get the reaction from Military authorities in Enugu State proved futile. As things stand, the people are living in fear and apprehension, as men, women, youths and children are afraid to go about their normal legitimate activities, for fear of being molested and attacked.

This setting looks like somewhere in Katsina GRA.

When I saw Owo town,I thought it was the one in Ondo state.So Enugu too has Owo town.
Na wah o.

I didn't even sight a cockroach on the road 😁, Nigeria army hmm you better leave those mehn.

I remember owo church massacre by amotekum terro?rist that year.

Land full for North ooo.
Sambisa Forest dey empty ooo.

Make we dey mind ourselves

chiagozien:
I remember owo church massacre by amotekum terro?rist that year.

Happened few days to APC presidential congress the massacre forced buhari to cede power to south as he , el Rufai and other APC top shots were insistent it was turn of NE . BH came out to deny it and was categorical it wasn’t committed by them and survivors mentioned none of the killers spoke Hausa or Fulani or any northern language and till today no single arrest have been made

chiagozien:
I remember owo church massacre by amotekum terro?rist that year.

This isn't the one in Ondo State. It's the one in Enugu

Why the Siege?
T thought the current Governor ( PETER MBAH) is from Owo Nkanu East,.
He should should be aware of the Military Presence

Ritchiee:
When I saw Owo town,I thought it was the one in Ondo state.So Enugu too has Owo town.
Na wah o.

Exactly my thoughts too.

chiagozien:
I remember owo church massacre by amotekum terro?rist that year.

Give the post to a primary 5 kid to read to you. Maybe you'll realize this is the owo in Enugu state.