The Ogbozinne Community in Ndiagu Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, has raised concerns over a growing security threat stemming from a protracted dispute between two families over a sand excavation site at the bank of Nyaba River.
Community members warn that the lingering feud between the Ihenegwagu and Amugo families could escalate into violence if not properly addressed.
According to insiders, a high-powered delegation from the Enugu State Government, led by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had previously intervened in the matter alongside Prof. Sam Ugwu, Commissioner for Environment; Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development; Mr. Kingsley Nnaji, Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Oil & Gas; and HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo, among others.
Despite the state’s directive suspending all excavation activities on the disputed site, tension has persisted. Community leaders now insist that Ogbozinne, as the host community, must be formally included in all peace negotiations to achieve a lasting resolution.
A community leader lamented:
“The two families always mobilize unknown faces from their ancestral home (Ihenegwagu and Amugo communities in Ndiuno Akpugo) to come to Ogbozinne Village Ndiagu Akpugo and cause havoc and go unchallenged by our people.
Our roads have been greatly damaged as a result of the tippers plying our internal roads without a kobo being received by the host village/community. Therefore, it is important that the Ogbozinne community is included in reconciliation meetings for comprehensive and lasting peace.”
Before the government’s intervention, the Obuga people in Ogbozinne had written to the community chairman to protest what they described as encroachment by the Amugo family.
In their letter dated July 10, 2025, signed by Chairman Sunday Nnamani and Secretary Nneji Chukwunoso, they wrote:
“The said land was given to us by our ancestors many years ago on which we are cultivating various crops during our youth age. We don’t have any land boundary with Amugo family living in Ogbozinne, but we have boundary with Ihunekwagu general.
The Obuga burrow pit site was opened and registered with the appropriate government agency, that is, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The pit site was not opened by Ihunekwagu general or Ekeagu land burrow pit site.
Amugo people living in Ogbozinne went and opened another burrow pit site in our land, which is a complete case of encroachment into our land. On a daily basis, more than 100 tippers load sand excavated by the Amugo family.
In the olden days there was a traditional oath-taking ceremony that established our ownership of the land. We wish that Amugo people should ask their elders about the history.”
They further added:
“We the people of Obuga in Ogbozinne want peace and not violence so that Amugo people in Ogbozinne will no longer trespass in our land to excavate sharp sand. We are completely in support of peace talk as organized by the Ogbozinne people.”
In a response letter dated July 16, 2025, the Amugo family led by Chief Chidi Ogbodo agreed to peace talks but stressed that mediators must understand the historical boundaries between the families.
National Chairman of Ogbozinne Community, Chidi Okenwa, presented documented efforts already made to reconcile both parties. He, alongside Special Adviser Ifeanyi Uwakwe, commended Governor Peter Mbah and the state government for their swift intervention.
“We appreciate the state government’s quick intervention to protect lives and property in our community,” Okenwa said.
“We pledge to cooperate fully with the state government in resolving this matter and to support its vision of raising Enugu State’s GDP to $30 million for the continued development of the state.”
The community is now calling for an expanded reconciliation process that fully involves Ogbozinne leaders to avert further crisis and ensure peace in the area.
