Abia State Government has urged the people of Amanato Eziama Nneato in Umunneochi LGA to maintain peace with their neighbors, Umuacha Umuobi autonomous community, following the alleged arrest of some of their kinsmen by security agents.
The Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing a group of women from Amanato Eziama Nneato who came to the Government House to protest the arrest of their people.
He promised that the land matter that caused the reported arrests would be investigated, adding that the state government would also listen to the Umuacha Umuobi people in order to arrive at an amicable resolution of the matter.
He thanked the women for not resorting to violence.
“We have listened to your complaints. We will take your messages to His Excellency and we promise that the matter would be looked into because this government believes in the welfare of the people,” Ajagba said.
Speaking during the protest, the women of Amanato Eziama Nneato said male members of the community have gone into hiding because of incessant arrests by security personnel.
The women who spoke through Mrs Janeth Nwankwo, traced the arrest to a four decade-old land dispute with their neighbors, stressing that the matter is presently before the Court of Appeal in Owerri.
She said that some indigenes including Christian Obidike, Chidiebube Alaebo, Oliver Maduwugwu and Chibuzor Nwafor, among others, were arrested and taken away by security personnel, adding that the President General of the community, Simon Ndubuisi, was recently released after spending two weeks in police custody.
“Because of this incessant arrests, our youths and husbands are now hiding inside the bush while others traveled out in fear.
“We plead with our governor to intervene in the matter as we will continue to support his administration,” Mrs Janeth Nwankwo said.
