Imo Govt Begins Recovery Of Encroached Public Lands, Assets

The Imo State Government has commenced a comprehensive and strategic recovery operation aimed at reclaiming state-owned lands and assets that have been illegally acquired or encroached upon by private individuals and organizations.

The recovery exercise, which began this week, is part of the implementation of a recently published and approved Government White Paper.

The enforcement is being led by the State Commissioner for Lands, Barrister Enyinna Onuegbu, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.

The first phase of the operation took place at Area P, off Port Harcourt Road in New Owerri—a location designated in the Owerri Master Plan as the future site of the Permanent Imo State Government House. Over the years, the area had been taken over by unauthorized developers and land speculators.

According to the Lands Commissioner, the state had earlier issued a seven-day quit notice to all illegal occupants, warning of consequences for non-compliance. Following the expiration of the deadline, demolition teams moved in to remove unoccupied or non-compliant structures that had been erected without government approval.

“This exercise is not targeted at individuals but is about restoring the integrity of public lands and government-owned properties for the benefit of all Imo citizens,” said Barr. Onuegbu.

“We are enforcing lawful directives that align with the state’s development plans, and all affected parties were given due notice.”

Beyond Area P, the operation extended to several other locations across the state capital and surrounding areas. These include:

Institution Layout behind IMSUBEB: Government land which had been taken over by unauthorized residents and developers.

Concord Senior Staff Quarters: Residential areas originally allocated for senior government officials, now occupied illegally.

Inland Road Corridor: A strategic area between the State Warehouse and Umezuruike Hospital reclaimed from private encroachers.

Samuel Njamanze Memorial Primary School (Old Stadium): The school premises, which had been illegally converted into a market by traders, have been reclaimed. Occupants were issued eviction notices, with demolition scheduled to commence after the deadline.

The task force also discovered an illegal estate development underway at MOPOL 18, off Onitsha Road. The land, owned by the government, was found to be under construction by unknown individuals without formal authorization. The site has been marked for investigation and possible demolition.

The Imo State Government is calling on all individuals and groups currently occupying or developing government-owned land or assets to immediately present valid documentation proving legal ownership or risk sanctions, including demolition and legal prosecution.

“This is a final call for compliance. Anyone occupying public land without government approval should come forward with legal documents.

“This administration is committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate illegal acquisition of public property,” said Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.

The recovery initiative is part of a broader effort by the state government to enforce urban development regulations, reclaim stolen or misappropriated public assets, and restore the structural integrity of the original Owerri Master Plan.

Observers have praised the bold steps, calling them long overdue, while also urging the government to ensure transparency and fairness in the process.