… Fear losing their ancestral land forever
A community in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, Umuezeukwu, has appealed to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for a more equitable resolution to the Airport project which they fear would dispossess them of their ancestral land forever.
This is as President Bola Tinubu will be flagging off the construction of the Airport in Nsulu during his proposed visit to the state.
On the airport project, residents, who spoke to reporters, expressed deep concerns that the current land allocation for the project will not only displace them from their ancestral homes and farmlands but also jeopardise the community’s very existence.
The crux of the issue is the community’s repeated, unanswered requests for dialogue with the Abia State government about the amount of land allocated for the airport. They are specifically demanding a minimum 500-meter buffer zone between the airport perimeter and their homes, which they claim has been consistently ignored, resulting in some homes and farmlands falling within the airport’s boundaries.
Chief Uche Ubani, a respected community leader, emphasised the project’s far-reaching consequences.
“We are facing a stark reality. Our ancestral lands, which have supported generations, are being taken away. Our children will have no place to build homes or farms, and, tragically, we may not even have a place to bury our dead.”
The community acknowledges previous land size reductions for the airport project, noting that these adjustments benefited other communities such as Agburuike, Umuogu, Ikputu, and parts of Umuosu and Umuode.
However, Umuezeukwu claims they have been overlooked, prompting an urgent request for assistance.
READ ALSO: Abia Airport: Landowners allege fraudulent acquisition of Nsulu land by govt
“We urgently request that the government implement a minimum 500-metre setback from our homes. We are not asking for much, just enough to ensure our community’s future,” Chief Ubani emphasised.
Ebere Adieze, President-General of Umuezeukwu, expressed his deep concern and denied that he had previously approved the project as is.
He also lamented alleged harassment and intimidation against the community for simply seeking dialogue.
“It is even more concerning that their desperation has led them to tell the Federal High Court in Abuja that I had a meeting with the Attorney General of Abia State on April 24, 2025, where I accepted what they were doing well and discredited the court action, all of those statements are false. I have never met with anyone at all.”
Adieze clarified that their concerns go well beyond compensation.
“The issue is not compensation, it is about our survival and providing us with alternative sources of income, as we are all agrarians in this village. What we saw in Umuezukwu was that instead of 500 metres, our houses and farmlands were now inside the airport.
“Our children and future generations will no longer have a place to build homes or live. If all of the lands are taken in this quantum, I am concerned that our lives will be jeopardised. We might not have a place to bury our dead.”
Exacerbating the situation, the community claims that the government is now acquiring additional land for an airport access road, which they claim was not originally planned.
“We invited the government, but they are not listening. The same government has gone through the back of our village to mark another area for the construction of an airport access road, which was not part of the original plan for the proposed airport,”,Adieze added.
The emotional toll on residents is clear. Victoria Ugochukwu, a widow, expressed her despair.
“I am a widow. My husband’s land is completed. We do not even have a place to bury the dead. We agreed to everything, but they are intimidating and attempting to arrest our youths.”
READ ALSO: Abia airport: Govt begins clearing on access road in violation of court order -Landowners
Favour Uche, another resident, expressed similar concerns about homelessness and displacement.
Community leaders, Chidiadi Ehilegbu and Chijioke Orji reiterated the need for a roundtable discussion and further land reduction.
“We are not talking about compensation.
“The government is supposed to serve the people, and as a community, we have some rights as well. We are demanding further reductions and a roundtable discussion with you.
“They should come sightseeing to back up what we are saying. They are meeting with the wrong people. Come reduce the size of the land. Okpulor should provide us with 500 metres, as required. You cannot come and start tracing people’s land without first informing the landowners. They are acquiring additional land for the access road, which was not originally planned for the airport,” Orji added.
The community accuses security personnel of intimidating residents and criticises the government for failing to respond to their numerous letters.
They are now hoping Governor Alex Otti would visit Umuezeukwu and see the situation firsthand.
“We appeal to Governor Otti to personally visit and assess our situation,” Chief Ubani said.
“We believe his aides are misinforming him about the project’s impact. We need him to see for himself the devastating impact this project is having on our community and to assist us in finding a solution that will allow us to survive and thrive.”
The Abia Airport project, which is intended to bring economic growth and development to the state, is at a critical juncture.
Umuezeukwu’s plea emphasises the importance of a more inclusive and considerate approach, one that balances progress with community identity and citizen well-being.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Governor Otti will heed their call and propose a solution that addresses their concerns while also securing Umuezeukwu’s future.
