The Abia State Government has assured residents that it will investigate the alleged destruction of farmlands at Ugwu Akwu Osa and Agbiyi belonging to the Umuda-Isingwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

The promise was made on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribole, when he addressed women from Umuda-Isingwu who staged a peaceful protest at the Government House.

Meribole commended the women for conducting their protest without violence and assured them that the government would review their complaints within one week in order to reach an amicable resolution. He added that the Mayor of Umuahia North LGA, Smart Iheoma, the Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije, and the President-General of the community would participate in resolving the issue.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Nkechi Nnodimele accused suspected land grabbers of encroaching on community land and destroying farms belonging to residents. She warned that the destruction of crops could worsen food shortages and deprive future generations of land for development.

Nnodimele also noted that the community supports the administration of Alex Otti and appealed to the state government to address the situation by identifying and stopping those allegedly involved in the land encroachment and destruction of crops.

After the protest at the Government House, the women proceeded to the Umuahia North LGA headquarters to formally lodge their complaints.