The people of the Urum community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed concern over the activities of some land grabbers who operate within the area.
According to them, there is a need for the state government to profile these individuals to ensure they do not continue misleading the unsuspecting public by selling illegal lands.
The President-General of Urum Development Union, Honorable Sir Felix Godwin, and other community leaders made this observation on Sunday while speaking to journalists about the increasing rate of land racketeering under the guise of estate development in the area.
Sir Godwin stated that the community, being aware of these fraudulent activities, has set up a land committee to ensure that all lands bought in Urum are sold only by genuine owners.
He emphasized that the town would not stand by and allow unscrupulous individuals, who believe their wealth grants them undue influence, to disrupt the relative peace in Urum by illegally acquiring communal lands that are not for sale.
Raising an alarm about a specific case, he alleged that a certain developer, popularly known as Nwaguatahihia, encroached upon the community’s land and seized plots at Ochiokwa Layout in Urum. This developer has since been advertising the land to the public despite having no legitimate claim to it.
“Urum Community confronted him on January 15, 2025, and he apologized, subsequently removing his equipment from the land on January 17, 2025.
However, we are surprised to see that he is now advertising the same land for sale on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram under the name ‘Nwaguatahihia Heaven Estate.’ This is why we are issuing this disclaimer.”
The President-General categorically stated that anyone who purchases land from the said developer does so at their own risk, as no one in the community has sold the property to him. He warned that Nwaguatahihia is deceiving unsuspecting buyers and swindling them out of their hard-earned money.
“The public should take note: the community is not aware of any proposed residential layout for ‘Nwaguatahihia Heaven Estate’ in Urum, Awka North Local Government Area. Please beware.”
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The Chairman of the Urum Land Committee, Brother Aron Okafor, stated that the activities of land speculators and grabbers were tarnishing the reputation of the community, as some agents shamelessly sell and resell lands without integrity.
As a result, the committee has been working diligently to ensure that genuine land buyers are not deceived. He urged prospective buyers to go through the proper channels created by the community to avoid falling into the wrong hands.
Bro. Okafor explained that once a developer expresses interest in purchasing land in Urum, the committee is responsible for verifying its rightful owner to prevent the town’s name from being dragged through the mud by individuals seeking quick profits from land that does not belong to them.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Urum Land Committee and Chairman of the Igwe-in-Council, Urum, Nze Jude Ndibe, confirmed that the disputed land belongs to the Urum community and that a resolution had been passed prohibiting its sale.
According to the leadership of Urum, the Ochiokwa land is reserved exclusively for farming activities by indigenous members of the community until further notice.
They warned Nwaguatahihia and any other individuals posing as estate developers to stay away from the land.
