Imo Women Protest, Demand Return of Ancestral Land After Zoo Relocation
Scores of women, numbering over 1,000, from Umuejechi, Nekede, in Owerri West Local Council of Imo State took to the streets yesterday, clad in black apparels, to demand the return of hectares of land formerly housing the state zoo, Guardian reports.
Led by Nneoma Asoluka, the protesters disrupted socio-economic activities in Owerri and blocked the entrance to the Government House.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the women voiced their concerns about the land, which they claim was acquired from them by the state government approximately 50 years ago, in the 1970s. Asoluka, the protest leader, highlighted the historical significance of the land, stating that it served as communal farmland before the government’s acquisition.
The issue escalated as the protesters prevented vehicles from entering or leaving the Government House premises, requiring appeals to restore normalcy. Despite the disruption, the women remained steadfast in their demand for the land’s return for farming purposes.
In response, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Print Media, Amby Uneze, asserted that the land belonged to the state government, emphasizing the government’s prerogative to decide its use for developmental purposes. Uneze urged the protesting women to seek accurate information before engaging in further demonstrations.
The dispute underscores the tension between community interests and government authority over land usage, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives. As the protest continues, the community seeks resolution and clarity on the fate of the contested land.
