Enugu Community Protests Land Grabbing By Firm

Residents of Ugwuto, Nsude community in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have staged a protest against an alleged land grabbing by Enpower Energy Limited.

THE WHISTLER reports that the natives, in their thousands, marched through the community’s civic centre on Wednesday, displaying placards with inscriptions like “We no go agree ooo”, “No to land grabbers”, “Empower Leave Our Land Alone”, and “Governor Peter Mbah, Save Us From Land Grabbers”.

A community leader, Chief Vincent Chukwuani, claimed that the company encroached on their land, destroying their farmlands in the process.

According to him, “The people called Enpower came to our land without authorisation. They destroyed our crops with bulldozers. The invasion started six years ago. We reported to the state government but got no response.

“What prompted our protest is that they came again last month and destroyed our land even though the matter is still in court.”

He accused the company of intimidation and harassment. He said some residents who resisted the incursion were threatened or arrested by the police.

Speaking also, a native, Linus Ugwuoga, said the community had taken the matter to various authorities, including Abuja.

In his words, “We went to court, and the matter was adjourned to December 19, 2025. Despite that, they are still destroying our crops. We have government projects on our land—a water reservoir and an international market—and we have never complained. But these people are called Enpower; we don’t know them.”

Ugwuoga further disclosed that when they met with the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, on the alleged encroachment, he had claimed to be unaware of the company.

In a similar vein, a former Chairman of Udi LGA, Hon. Emeka Joshua Ozochi, accused Enpower of using the 9th Mile Police Division and the Department of Railway Security (DRS) to intimidate residents.

He claimed that the concerned land was officially approved for the community by the state government under the “Ugwuto Hilltop Layout”, with all fees duly paid.

Mrs Evelyn Onoh, a native, said, “They invited some of us to Udi, but when we arrived, they said they were Empower. We do not need them on our land. We, the women of the Ugwuto community, stand behind our husbands. Anywhere they stand, we stand.”

A representative of Enpower Energy Limited, Barr Ricky Agu, denied the land-grabbing allegations against the company.

According to him, the company operated under a tripartite agreement signed in 2009 between the Enugu State government, Enpower Energy Ltd, and Oildata Integrated Construction Company.

In his words, “The allegation of land grabbing is a lie. The government does not lie. The government acquired this land and used it as equity to attract investments. The joint venture agreement empowers the state government to acquire land for the public good, while the company provides technical expertise.

“When operations begin, the joint venture will pay the community whatever equity is due to them. So, the community is actually a co-owner of Enpower.”

He alleged that some individuals in the community were misleading others for personal interest, adding that police intervention was necessary to prevent chaos.

“If they have issues, it should be with the state government, not a private company,” Agu said.