Anambra community, Nteje threatens showdown with c’ttee over land scam

The people of Ifite Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State are threatening a showdown with members of the community’s land management
committee set up in the wake of land dispute between Nteje and Umunya/Nkwelle, both in the same local government.
The youths of the area had alleged that members of the management committee were helping themselves with the parcels of the disputed land by selling same to interested buyers, even as the matter to determine the rightful owners of the land was still in court.
To express their disgust over the matter, hundreds of youths in the area converged at the Ifite Nteje village square and cursed those who allegedly turned their common wealth into private pockets.
According to the youths, those put at the helm of affairs embezzled the proceeds and allegedly flogged those identified to be responsible for the embezzlement publicly and dragged them to the frightening Nengo Shrine at Akpakwu village in Ifite Nteje.
An indigene of the community, Mr. Martin Okechukwu told South East Voice that some of the people who went through the ordeal reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Awka, adding that the matter is still being investigated by the police.
Okechukwu said: “Apart from taking over the local village politics of Ifite Nteje powers, the youths have assumed the political power of the community and have been acting with reckless abandon. “With some notable indigenes of the area behind them, the youths have been harassing, intimidating and flogging their perceived opponents, forcing them to swear to an oath.”
“If the police and other law enforcement agencies fail to intervene immediately to calm frayed nerves in Nteje, there is the likelihood of breakdown of law and order with the attendant consequences.” He said that sponsors of the youths belong to one of the political parties in the state, adding that in addition to giving them money, they also supply charms to them to continue to cause confusion in the area.
A prominent indigene of the area, Mr. Odili Obiajulu regretted the development, saying the people concerned were trying to tarnish the image of Nteje by giving the impression that there is trouble in the area. He warned the people not to do anything that would bring them at loggerheads with law enforcement agencies.