An Enugu State based Vanguard Newspapers correspondent , Dennis Agbo has relived his experience in the hands of land grabbers in the State.
The Correspondent was allegedly attacked alongside four others by armed youths from Neke community in Isi-uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Narrating his ordeal, Agbo, who was beaten to stupor by people suspected to be land grabbers on Sunday, said, “They almost killed us.”
According to THE WHISTLER Agbo had mobilized four labourers to clear a farmland located at Ugwuokwunele Umuaram in Ikem in Isi-Uzo LGA. The land, he said belonged to his family. But upon stepping foot on the land, he, alongside his hired labourers was pounced on by the youths.
According to the report, on getting to there, it was discovered that some people had built houses on the land.
“When Agbo was making inquiries to ascertain those that had encroached on the land, about ten boys appeared on the scene. The boys who had been mobilized to the scene descended on Agbo and his labourers and beat them black and blue.
According to Agbo, “They kidnapped us with the two motorcycles we went there on. They took another Ikem person to their village at Neke. There they now mobilized over 300 boys who were fully armed with all sorts of weapons, including charms. They said they would kill us.
“At the end of the day, they decided to set us free. They said we should go and tell our people that they are prepared for war with our people. One of them, Sunday Ekwu, was the one who negotiated for our release.
“I was seriously beaten. One of us is already in the hospital because his eye was badly damaged. They seized some of our personal belongings, including phones, wheelbarrows and other items. We were held hostage for more than three hours. My head and other parts of my body are full of bruises.”
The Correspondent, however, stated that the attack has been reported to the police. He insisted that the land in question belongs to his family.
“My late uncle lived his entire life there and was buried in the same place,” Agbo said.
source: The Whistler