…“the Anambra community reported that land grabbers stormed their community in the middle of the night with guns, not court papers.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Anambra is engulfed in tension, anger, and fear as residents of Omalima Layout in Oze, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, accused armed security personnel of colluding with land grabbers to violently demolish homes and a church allegedly without court orders.
The crisis prompted the Amalgamated Landlord Association of Omalima Layout to submit a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police, citing abuse of power, professional misconduct, and unlawful use of force by security operatives acting in concert with suspected land grabbers.
Signed by the association’s Chairman, Moses Abag, and Secretary, Emeka Okeke, the petition detailed how the land grabbers arrived in the community in the middle of the night, using bulldozers, caterpillars, and earth-moving machines. They were allegedly protected by armed personnel believed to be from the Nigerian Navy, Civil Defence, and other unidentified security outfits.
According to the residents, the invaders demolished several homes, farmlands, and church buildings, leaving many people homeless. Despite a series of protests aimed at drawing attention to the issue, the state government and other relevant authorities reportedly failed to respond, prompting the petition to the IG.
The latest invasion, which occurred over the weekend, was described as “sudden, brutal, and terrifying.” Among the destroyed structures were buildings belonging to the Niger Diocese of the Anglican Communion, which residents called “sacrilegious and traumatic.”
The petition reads in part:
“The land grabbers invaded our community in Anambra in the middle of the night with guns, not court papers. The attack was sudden, brutal, and terrifying. Bulldozers escorted by armed security operatives destroyed walls, houses, farmlands, and even our church. Nobody could question them. Photographs attached show shattered fences, levelled buildings, and displaced families.”
The landlords emphasized that under Nigerian law, no individual, agency, or security outfit has the authority to demolish private property without a valid court order. Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution protect citizens’ right to property and prohibit compulsory acquisition or destruction without due process and compensation. The Police Act and other security regulations also forbid officers from aiding civil wrongs.
The petition also named certain individuals who allegedly coordinated the invasion claiming they boasted of strong connections with the Nigeria Police, Navy, Civil Defence, and top government officials. The residents warned that the ongoing intimidation and destruction could provoke communal resistance, escalating into violence and loss of life.
The landlords urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the role of security personnel, prosecute those responsible, halt further demolitions, and restore peace and confidence in law enforcement.
As of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, nor the Anambra State Government had responded officially to the allegations.
Speaking separately, Moses Abag confirmed that the Rapid Response Squad of the Anambra Police initially arrested some suspects and impounded demolition equipment, yet the destruction resumed days later with a heavier armed presence.
Senior legal practitioner Emma Okey said:“If armed officers escorted land grabbers to conduct illegal demolitions without court orders, this is not merely misconduct, it is a serious constitutional breach.”
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning Board, after independent investigations, issued public notices distancing itself from the Omalima Layout demolition.
