...Accuse engineer of demolitions, police intimidation

Hundreds of women and youths from Amachai Community in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday staged a peaceful protest at the Delta State Government House in Asaba over an alleged land dispute that they claimed has led to the destruction of homes, farmlands and food crops.

The protesters accused an engineer, identified as Sam Morah, of allegedly laying claim to ancestral community land and using security personnel, to enforce the disputed ownership.

Carrying placards with vay inscriptions such as, “Sam Morah, Stop Controlling the Nigerian Police,” “Sam Morah, Stop Grabbing Our Lands,” and “Sam Morah, Stop Destroying Our Crops,” the demonstrators called on the Delta State Government to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation of the dispute.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Second-in-Command of Amachai Community, Mr. Raymond Egwuogu, alleged that repeated appeals to security agencies, had failed to produce any meaningful intervention despite the growing tension.

Egwuogu claimed that several residential buildings had been demolished while farmlands and cultivated crops were destroyed during the dispute, leaving many families without shelters

He maintained that the community never sold or transferred ownership of the disputed land to Morah, insisting that the property remains the ancestral land of the Amachai people.

According to him, despite the alleged provocation, the community has remained peaceful and law-abiding, choosing legal channels rather than resorting to violence.

“We are peace-loving citizens and we do not want to take the law into our hands. We are pleading with the Governor to come to our aid and ensure justice is done,” Egwuogu said.

They urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to facilitate an impartial investigation into the dispute, ensure justice for affected residents and restore peace to the community.

Responding on behalf of Governor Oborevwori, the Director of Protocol, Mr. Sunday Onoriode, assured the protesters that the Delta State Government remains committed to protecting lives and property while preserving peace across the state.

He described Delta as a peaceful state and pledged that the government would take every legitimate step necessary to address the concerns raised through lawful and peaceful means.

Onoriode appealed to members of the community to remain calm, avoid actions capable of disrupting public order and allow the appropriate authorities to handle the matter in accordance with due process.

He reiterated the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution and the rule of law as the foundation for sustainable development across Delta State.

But, Mr. Sam Morah could not be reached for comments on the allegations levelled against him, as of the time of filing this report.