The traditional ruler of Mbulu Owo community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Dr. Godwin Okeke Arum, has raised serious concerns over what he described as persistent intimidation and harassment of his people by armed military personnel, calling for urgent intervention by the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
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Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Thursday, the monarch recounted a troubling incident that occurred on Wednesday, when over fifty masked military personnel reportedly stormed a farmland in Owo and abducted eight men who were working on their ancestral land. He described the operation as sudden, forceful, and deeply distressing to the affected families and the wider community.
Igwe Okeke Arum emphasized that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for residents of Mbulu Owo and surrounding communities. He noted that the land in question has been cultivated peacefully for generations without any dispute involving the Federal Government or its agencies.
According to the monarch, the recent military actions have instilled fear among residents, severely disrupting farming activities and posing a threat to food production in the predominantly agrarian area. He expressed concern over the welfare of the abducted individuals, stating that they were taken to an unknown destination without explanation, as though they were criminals.
“Residents of my community now live in fear of going to their farms due to the presence of heavily armed military personnel. It is unjust and inhumane for civilians engaged in lawful activities on their ancestral land to be treated in such a manner. This situation must be addressed before it escalates further,” he said.
The monarch called for the immediate release of the detained farmers and urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
He further warned that continued military presence and alleged harassment could heighten tensions in the area, especially during the critical farming season. “We are in the rainy season, and many farmers are now uncertain about returning to their fields. This growing fear could have serious consequences for livelihoods and food security,” he added.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer at the Idodo/Owo Police Division, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the police were not informed prior to the military operation. He disclosed that the matter was only brought to their attention after families of the victims lodged complaints.
The officer added that upon inquiry, officials at a nearby military camp in Ezeilo acknowledged that their personnel carried out the operation, alleging that those arrested were involved in the destruction of property on military-controlled land.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Police Public Relations Officer proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned as of the time of filing this report.