A brewing land dispute between the Enugwu-Agidi community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra and one NAF Green Garden Estate is threatening fragile peace in the area.

The promoters of the estate project recently announced that they had secured a large expanse of land in Enugwu-Agidi for the construction of 800 housing units.

In a statement on Friday, the developers unveiled the project’s name as NAF Green Garden Estate, describing it as strategically located in Enugwu-Agidi in Awka. It said it had all the required documents to take possession of and develop the site.

According to the announcement, application forms for the proposed estate were already available for purchase.

However, the leadership of the Enugwu-Agidi community has strongly opposed the project, alleging intimidation and unlawful occupation of communal land.

In a statement by Chinedu Ikeanyi, son of the late Davison Ikeanyi, the community accused Marc Benito Ozigbo, the proprietor of NAF Green Gardens Limited, of unlawfully taking control of the disputed land.

Mr Ikeanyi alleged that Mr Ozigbo, through Green Gardens Limited, has taken over more than 150 plots of land in the Ezionugo area, near the boundary between Enugwu-Agidi and Nawgu, and stationed armed military personnel there.

“If those lands were rightfully and legally purchased from the community, why would armed military personnel be stationed there?” Mr Ikeanyi queried.

He appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra to investigate the matter and intervene before the situation escalates.

According to Mr Ikeanyi, the presence of soldiers on communal land is an indication of alleged illegal acquisition and high-handedness.

He argued that the Nigerian constitution does not assign the military any role in resolving land disputes and questioned why military personnel would be deployed to a civilian community over a private estate project.

Mr Ikeanyi claimed that two years ago, Mr Ozigbo, allegedly working with suspected land grabbers and local youths, invaded Enugwu-Agidi farmlands and erected a “Military Zone – Keep Off” inscription.

The community leadership said its in-house enquiries did not confirm any official military project in the town, raising concerns that the name of the Nigerian military might be used without proper authorisation.

Mr Ikeanyi attributed the worsening land disputes in the area to longstanding internal challenges, including the activities of land speculators and youth groups allegedly involved in the sale of communal lands.

He also accused certain past town union officials of enabling land grabbing, thereby exacerbating tensions within the community.

He said on December 29, 2025, Enugwu-Agidi elected a new town union executive led by Pius Nwankwo, who has pledged to tackle land grabbing.

According to him, the new administration has banned the entry of caterpillars, bulldozers, and other earth-moving equipment into community lands without prior approval.

Despite the directive, Mr Ikeanyi alleged that Mr Ozigbo and armed personnel have continued to clear ancestral lands in defiance of the ban.

When contacted, a member of staff of the estate firm, Okechukwu Odili, said that it was vending the property on behalf of NAF; hence, it has no business with the community leaders.

(NAN)