Umuawa people in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State have alleged that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is planning to grab their community land through unapproved acquisition.

Members of the community, who began a peaceful protest in Umuawa on Wednesday morning, made it clear that large tracts of land were their sole source of livelihood and therefore could not be distributed.

Community members, including women, youth and other leaders, held different banners, some warning of hunger and whether their land would be taken away from them.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the immediate past Chairman of Umuawa, Chukwuma Abraham, and Umuezerola community chairman, Nduka Ogwumike, made it clear that members of the community were not informed of any plan to seize the community lands.

They said there were strong rumors that several powerful people from the community were placed to hand over the community’s land even without their knowledge and consent.

According to community members, the lands in question belong to the different autonomous communities that make up Umuawa, as well as some private individuals who have purchased land in the areas.

Community members expressed surprise over announcements on radio stations in Abia State claiming that community members had been briefed on the procurement plans, saying there was no such briefing.

While they said they were not against the government’s development programmes, they called for transparent participation and proper sensitization of indigenous people.

Efforts by DAILY POST to hear from the traditional ruler of Opara Na Nkaru Awa autonomous community, Eze Abel Ogbonna Ezechukwu, were not successful as his palace was locked from behind even as locals gathered in front of the palace.

However, three truckloads from the Abia State joint security team arrived in the community at 10am to maintain peace and prevent breakdown of law and order.