Nsulu Airport Land Dispute Escalates As Govt Arrests Villagers, Triggers Outrage

Tensions over the ongoing land acquisition for the Nsulu Airport have reached a boiling point, with landowners condemning what they call the Abia State government’s heavy-handed handling of their concerns.

According to a press statement by Azu Ogbuokiri, the villagers claimed that an intimidation campaign resulted in the mass arrest of youth, village elders, and even nursing mothers who dared to express concerns about the project’s transparency and scope.

Speaking with our reporter, a villager who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation described the situation as “outrageous intimidation.”

“They are arresting our leaders, our youth, even mothers, simply for asking questions and demanding fairness,” they complained. “Is this how a democratic government treats its citizens?”

Those said to be detained include Echezola Ukaumunna, the village head of Umuezenta, and Chinemerem Ikpeama, the youth leader of Umukolo Nbawsi.

According to sources, they were arrested earlier this week and are currently in police custody with no clear charges.

The exact reason for their detention is unknown, but community members believe it is linked to their vocal opposition to the government’s land acquisition process.

The landowners have consistently argued that the proposed airport land grab, which they claim far exceeds the initially stated 400 hectares, threatens to displace or even destroy entire communities.

They have repeatedly urged the government to scale back the acquisition to a more manageable and justifiable size, resulting in a more equitable and less disruptive outcome for the affected communities.

Furthermore, they have demanded transparency in the form of detailed maps of the land under consideration, claiming that this is necessary to fully understand the impact on their livelihoods and communities.

“We are not opposed to development, but it must not come at the expense of our ancestral lands or our people’s well-being,” a landowner representative stated.

“We have repeatedly requested maps and detailed explanations of the boundaries of the land they intend to acquire. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue, they chose to silence us through arrests and intimidation.

The arrest of nursing mothers has sparked widespread outrage. According to sources, the women were arrested as they peacefully protested the land acquisition.

Human rights activists and community leaders have both condemned their detention, claiming that it is a clear violation of fundamental human rights.”The arrest of these women is a new low,” remarked a local human rights activist. “It is clearly an attempt to silence dissent and suppress all forms of opposition to the government’s actions. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.

The Abia State government has yet to respond officially to reports of widespread arrests and intimidation. Several attempts to contact government officials for comment have failed.

However, state government officials claim that the arrests were made to maintain order and prevent potential breaches of the peace.

The situation remains tense, with community members vowing to continue fighting for a more transparent and equitable solution to the land dispute.

They are urging the Abia State government to release the detained villagers, hold meaningful dialogue, and reconsider the scope of the land acquisition in order to protect the affected communities’ interests and rights.

The Nsulu Airport project, which was intended to boost the state’s economy and improve connectivity, is now facing significant challenges, including eroded public trust and growing opposition from the communities it is supposed to serve.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether the Abia State government will pursue dialogue and transparency or continue down the path of confrontation, exacerbating the conflict and jeopardising the project’s future.