Women of Umuodu Obogwe village in Umuwaku autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State have protested against alleged stealing of their farm produce by the women/people of Obokwu Amafor, Ohaji. Notably, both Umuodu Obogwe and Obokwu Amafor villages are in Umuwaku autonomous community, Ohaji. The demonstration which was said to be peaceful was carried out by the women on Tuesday at the area.
The leader of the protesters who did not want her name in print for security reasons, narrated that some women from Obokwu Amafor, on every farming season, for the past ten years, allegedly steal their farm produce especially cassava, yam, vegetables including firewood at their own peril. They lamented that “every farming season, Obokwu Amafor women/people invade our farms unprovoked and steal our crops such as cassava, vegetables, yam including firewood, leaving us to suffer from hunger. The invasion and stealing have been happening for the past ten years. We want the leaders of our community to rise to the anomaly in the interest of peace and progress of our community”.
The women called on the leaders of the community to quickly wade into the issue and caution the perpetrators. However, addressing the women who called to his home, President- General of Umuwaku community, Hon. Chief Jiakponna Vitalis, begged the protesters to bear the anomaly, even as he assured them that the women of Obokwu would be cautioned outrightly, warning that stealing or any form of disorderliness in the area would not be condoned, saying the community is known to be peaceful, calm and orderly. “We have sued for peace and we are going to caution them against such anomaly. We will ensure that such ill does not repeat. Umuwaku has been peaceful and orderly. Let us continue to work hard as we live cordially and godly”, Jiakponna stressed.
