Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Residents of Umueri Village, Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, calling on the state government to intervene in a crisis that has rocked the community following alleged illegal sales of communal land and reported acts of brutality by the former village chairman, Mr. Levi Elobisi, his supporters, and members of the village security outfit, known as Udo-Ga-Achi.
During the demonstration, villagers carried placards with inscriptions including “Our Land is Not for Sale”, “Umueri Village Ogbunike Passes Vote of No Confidence on LEVI ELOBISI”, “Stop Udo-Ga-Achi Brutality in Umueri Ogbunike”, and “We Demand Justice Now!”, highlighting their grievances and urging urgent intervention by state authorities.
Speaking to ABS, Mr. Ikenna Onyekwuluje, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Umueri Village Welfare Association, explained that Elobisi served as village chairman until December 30, 2025, when a community-wide vote of no confidence removed him from office. Onyekwuluje alleged that during his tenure, Elobisi turned his office into a means of intimidation and personal enrichment, including the alleged sale of over 200 communal plots. He insisted that the land in question belongs collectively to the community and is not for sale.
Several village elders, including Oba Eche Ezennia and Mr. Ebodinma Okaide, expressed alarm over the crisis, describing it as unprecedented in the history of Umueri. They appealed to the Anambra State Government to intervene immediately, warning that failure to act could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the area.
Among those directly affected, Mrs. Justina Chidebelu, a widow, claimed her late husband’s land had been sold without her consent and that she was physically assaulted in the process. Another resident, Mrs. Virginia Elobisi, reported that her children were arrested by the Udo-Ga-Achi security personnel on January 20, 2026, adding to the tension in the village. Both women, along with other alleged victims, appealed to the government and concerned Nigerians to assist in recovering communal lands and securing the release of the detained children.
The peaceful protest drew attention to what residents described as a pattern of abuse and lawlessness by Elobisi and his associates, accusing the former chairman of exploiting his office to benefit a select few at the expense of the community. Demonstrators urged authorities to ensure justice, prevent further unlawful land transactions, and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Anambra State Government has yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations or the protest. Meanwhile, villagers have vowed to maintain peaceful demonstrations until their demands are addressed, underscoring the importance of state intervention to restore security, justice, and communal harmony in Umueri Village.
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