Crisis looms in UNIUYO over land grabbing
Dennis Udo-Udoma, Uyo
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB), Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Junaid Bukar has invited the Vice – Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudo Ukpabio Ndaeyo and six others for interrogation following a petition by the host community against the institution on land grabbing.
The University is allegedly accused of trespassing into an abandoned community land that was hitherto leased to government as a model farm in 1963.
The letter dated November 18, 2022 and signed by the ACP Junaid Bukar invited Prof. Nyaudo Ukpabio Ndaeyo, VC, UNIUYO, Prof. Enefiok Essien, former VC, Paramount ruler of Uyo, HRM, Edidem Sylvania Effiong Okon Uwak, Barr. Marcellinus Marshal Udoakang and Hon. Uduak Ekpenyong to appear before the Bureau as soon as possible.
Our reporter learned that the parties had refused earlier invitation except that, the former VC, Prof. Essien appears.
Leader of the group, Obong Essien Essien explained that, the said land was leased to the government for a model farm since 1963 but abandoned after extension in 1983.
He said, owing to the abandonment, some mischievous staff of the University of Uyo in collaboration with politicians and traditional rulers amongst others, trespassed the land and sold it to unsuspecting public.
The “criminal elements demolished houses, crops, and other things as well as attacking the land owners”, he stated.
Obong Essien further stated that, these grabbers also proceeded to another land along Ring Road 3 and claimed ownership nicknaming the area as “Platform”.
According to him, “as law abiding citizens, we approached the court and judgement was delivered in our favour that, the land was not acquired by government as earlier claimed”.
He said, these and other activities ignited crisis and breach of peace in the community, hence, our petition to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for intervention.
Also speaking, the President of Land Donors Family, Mr. Power Anthony said, police are still searching for remaining persons for arrest for refusing to honour the invitation for interrogation.
Meanwhile, attempt to speak with the University of Uyo Director of Information, Mrs. Blossom Okotie on the matter failed as her phone was switched off.
