Azumini Ndoki Under Threat? Community Accuses Akwa Ibom of Forceful Takeover |READ FULL

The people of Azumini Ndoki in Ukwa-East Local Government Area of Abia State have raised the alarm over an ongoing road construction project allegedly being executed by the Akwa Ibom State Government within their community.

The residents staged a protest on Monday, decrying what they described as territorial expansion and land encroachment by the Akwa Ibom government. Their primary grievance is that the project is progressing without any formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states to clarify jurisdictional boundaries and community involvement.

The road construction in question reportedly begins from Ikot Esu-Otomo in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and extends into Uzonta Road in Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa-East LGA, Abia State.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting community, Ogbo Ubani, a prominent community leader, condemned the development, stating that Akwa Ibom's actions were suggestive of a deliberate attempt to claim Azumini Ndoki as part of its territory.

"Sandwiching the name of Azumini Ndoki community between Akwa Ibom villages is a clear attempt to gradually erase our identity and claim our land as part of Akwa Ibom State,ÔÇØ Ubani asserted.

The Azumini Ndoki community has long faced boundary disputes and is now expressing serious concerns over what they describe as the land-grabbing tendencies of Akwa Ibom State.

President of the Azumini Welfare Association, Azubuike Nwankwo, voiced fears that if the situation is not addressed urgently, Azumini Ndoki might one day wake up to find itself under Akwa Ibom's administration.

Similarly, Fidelis Nnah, Secretary of the Azumini Interim Administrative Committee, accused the Akwa Ibom government of unlawfully revoking properties within Abia territory and compensating affected individuals-an action that, he insists, is the sole responsibility of the Abia State Government.

The protesting residents pledged their full support for Governor Alex Otti's administration while demanding that work on the project be halted immediately until a formal MoU is signed between Abia and Akwa Ibom governments to establish clear boundaries.

Meanwhile, Ukwa-East Mayor, Chibunna Akara, represented by Iheanyi Adindu, Secretary to the Council, appealed to the protesters to remain calm. He assured them that their grievances would be conveyed to Governor Alex Otti for swift action to ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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