Residents of Owo community in Enugu State protested on November 17, 2025, against the Nigerian Army's alleged plot to evict them from their ancestral land. The demonstration highlighted ongoing tensions since 2015, including markings on buildings and ignored court orders. Community leaders called on President Bola Tinubu for intervention.
On November 17, 2025, members of Owo community in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, staged a protest against what they described as a Nigerian Army plot to dispossess them of their ancestral land. Many participants, including women and elderly residents, carried placards with messages such as “Remove soldiers, restore peace,” “Owo land is not barracks,” “Stop the invasion,” “Respect the constitution,” “Say No to Military Land Grabbing,” “President Tinubu, save us from military intimidation,” and “Army, leave our land alone.”
The conflict traces back to November 2015, when army personnel allegedly invaded the area, marking buildings with “Remove, Army land, keep off” and installing billboards and beacons claiming ownership of the entire community. Community lawyer Igwenagu Ngene stated that he immediately wrote to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division in Enugu requesting withdrawal of the soldiers. When no response came, the community petitioned the Enugu State Government, House of Assembly, and Ministry of Lands. During a Ministry meeting, army representatives—eight generals—declined to comment but insisted on their claim.
The matter escalated to the National Assembly, where fact-finding visits and hearings led legislators to order the army to stay away, as no ownership documents were provided. The army complied until April 2025, when they returned, prompting the community to seek a court injunction. In suit number 375/2025, the Enugu State High Court, under Justice C. O. Ajah, issued a restraining order against the army pending final determination.
Traditional ruler Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum expressed dismay, saying, “It is disheartening that a whole community will be asked to quit to nowhere for no reason other than the fact that some people are wielding guns and jackboots bought with taxpayers’ money.” He recounted the 2015 events and alleged threats to his palace, community shrines, and even Governor Peter Mbah's ancestral home, along with molestation of subjects and disruption of projects.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, from 82 Division, said he would investigate and requested evidence of rough handling. Ngene emphasized, “Except in a case of military conquest... this is not the case here,” framing the issue as unlawful land grabbing despite constitutional protections and court rulings.