From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. (Obi) Chike Edozien on Thursday frowned at the dangerous incursion into the Delta State capital by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The monarch was reacting to a protest by residents of Anwai area of Asaba against the invasion by hoodlums who are allegedly killing people on daily basis.
The people had said the hoodlums were using an abandoned busy 100 hectares of land for a failed housing estate project of the Federal Government for their hideout.
Asagba who sided with his people on appeals to the state government to de-acquire the questionable land, expressed worries over the activities of hoodlums.
Although, the paramount ruler of Asaba Kingdom said he was not aware about the land transaction between the state government and the community in 2007, he maintained that the de-acquisition would give the community the leverage to flush out the hoodlums.
“The Asagba is the custodian of all land but it is not to my knowledge how government acquired that land, they did not follow the routine of coming to the palace to acquire that land.
“But I am now concerned that the area has become a security issue, and I am completely in support for the government to de-acquire the land give it to the community for proper use,” he said.
The monarch stated that it was unfortunate that the state government failed to involve the palace in the land acquisition.
He disclosed however that the process of de-acquisition has commenced.
The monarch vowed that hoodlums who disguised as IPOB operatives would be kept at bay from Asaba so that residents of the state capital would continue to live in peace as they pursue their daily means of livelihood.