Tension has heightened in Ngene-Okwuazu area of Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra, following a land dispute between two prominent indigenes with both parties petitioning the police.
The dispute involves Chief Okwuji Ndive and Chief Sam Emeka, a brother to the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka.
Efforts by the Umueri Council of Elders to resolve the matter have reportedly failed, prompting petitions to the Police.
In a petition to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Otuocha Police Station, Ndive accused Emeka of intimidation, destruction of property and attempts to forcibly take over his land.
He alleged that Emeka destroyed materials he kept on the land for a building project, despite resolutions by the Council of Elders directing Emeka to desist.
Ndive said he was the first settler in the Ngene-Okwuazu area, having built and moved into a residential house there in 1985, adding that the waterfront in the area was named “Okwuji’s Beach” in recognition of this.
He further alleged that Emeka, alongside others, brought a caterpillar to scatter sand dumped on the disputed land on Nov. 9, 2025, in an effort to gain access to his fence.
He claimed that Emeka had earlier conspired with officials of the Physical Planning Unit to mark his fence for demolition and that several of his building materials were stolen following the incident.
Ndive urged the police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action in line with the law.
Ndive also said he spent about N200,000, with assistance from the traditional ruler, to rebuild part of his fence allegedly damaged during the dispute.
However, Emeka denied the allegations, insisting that Ndive was responsible for the rising tension in the area.
He said the land in question included an access road meant to serve residents and enable movement to the riverfront.
Emeka narrated that during his tenure as vice-chairman and later chairman of his age grade, disputes arose over leadership and road access, leading to the demolition of his gate and shops and the imposition of fines on him.
He said a panel set up by the traditional ruler later ruled that the access road should remain but advised him to forgo claims over his demolished property.
According to Emeka, relevant land and survey officials had identified properties obstructing the road, and he contributed N500,000 toward making the road motorable.
He denied pulling down Ndive’s fence, claiming that a section collapsed after road construction work and that he agreed to assist in repairing it.
He added that Ndive was opposed to his building on the land, despite his being an indigene of Umueri.
Police authorities at Otuocha were yet to comment on the matter at the time of filing this report.
