The protest, which drew hundreds of women, youths, and elders, saw demonstrators marching with placards and green leaves, rejecting what they called a forced occupation of residential land without proper consultation. The disputed land, they say, was never offered for the project and lies close to existing homes and farms.

Community leaders insisted they had already allocated a more suitable area — over 1,000 hectares of farmland — to support the state’s agricultural development goals. They expressed support for the government’s vision but said their input was ignored when bulldozers began clearing crops near residential zones.

Some residents claimed security operatives were deployed to arrest individuals who resisted the land clearing, leading to the detention of several community members. They also accused local officials of intimidation.

The community is calling on the state government to intervene, urging that the proposed smart farm be relocated to the previously designated farmland. They warned that further encroachment could lead to unrest and insisted that the integrity of their residential layout must be preserved.

Local authorities, however, maintain that the land was voluntarily donated by traditional leaders and that the project is intended to benefit the community. They urged residents to embrace the development, stating the area had long been unused and vulnerable to external threats.

The post Enugu Community Protests Alleged Land Takeover for Smart Farm Project appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Etomi community in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State has protested the planned sale of its cocoa estate. The peaceful protest happened on Wednesday.

Hundreds of farmers joined the march. They held placards with bold messages. Some signs read, “Our cocoa estate is not for sale” and “No to privatisation.”

Community leader Mbek Agbor-Tangban spoke during the event. He said their ancestors donated the land many years ago. The donation came with a clear agreement.

Mr. Agbor-Tangban said the community became concerned after a newspaper advert appeared. The notice was published on June 25, 2025. It invited bidders to take over the estate.

Women’s leader Ntunkai Mary-Ndum also shared her concerns. She said the land supports their families. If the government no longer wants to manage the estate, it should return the land to the people.

Youth leader Abang Shikina-Oji spoke about the history. He said the land was given to the government in 1957. The goal was to support local farmers.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, and the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, addressed the crowd. They promised that the government will review the issue carefully.

They said Governor Bassey Otu cares about the people. They also urged the community to stay calm during the review process.

The post Etomi Community Rejects Sale of Cocoa Estate in Cross River appeared first on Housing TV Africa.