In what was supposed to be a season of joy and celebration, the 2024 Christmas period turned into a time of despair for the residents of Ifa Ikot Okpon in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The community faced an abrupt and harsh reality when the state government decided to demolish over 100 houses, directly impacting 182 people and displacing 52 families. This exercise not only left the community in ruins but also cast a long shadow of fear and uncertainty over those yet to face the bulldozer’s wrath.
A visit by a DAILY POST correspondent painted a grim picture of desolation; the once vibrant community now resembled a war zone, with homes turned into rubble. The residents, caught off-guard, were living in dread of the next wave of demolitions, unsure of when their homes might be next on the list.
One poignant story emerged from Pastor Kokoete Sunday Edah, a local figure who had lived in Ifa Ikot Okpon for two decades. His narrative was one of betrayal and confusion. Having purchased his land from a native of the community, Edah never anticipated that his home and church would be demolished without warning. His account was particularly heart-wrenching; on December 19, 2024, while he was momentarily away, he received a call that his property was being destroyed. His plea for an explanation from the Director of Lands was met with a bureaucratic response that underscored the insensitivity of the process: “demolish first, after, we will pay.” This approach left him and his family homeless, stripped of all possessions, from certificates to personal belongings, with no opportunity to salvage anything.
The trauma wasn’t isolated to Pastor Edah. Over fifty residents gathered at the village hall shared similar stories of sudden demolition after promises of compensation and time to vacate were broken. Mr. Charles Bassey, a retired journalist, recounted his life’s savings being poured into a home now demolished for a “judges’ estate,” a project he claimed was not part of the original Uyo master plan. His investigation suggested that the land where his house stood was not government-acquired, raising questions about the legality and ethics of the demolition.
Anthony Thomas Ekot, a 75-year-old landlord, provided another layer of the human cost. His long-standing residence in the community was upended, leaving him with no resources or energy at his age to start anew. The emotional toll was palpable as he questioned how he would provide for his family in his twilight years.
The aftermath of these demolitions also saw an opportunistic surge by scavengers and local thugs, further compounding the victims’ misery. They looted what remained of the destroyed homes, taking everything from wood to nails, with reports of violence against those trying to protect their meager belongings.
The controversy deepened with conflicting claims. The immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd), had previously stated that the demolitions were part of reclaiming government land from illegal developers. However, the Village Head, Etteidung Uwem Tom Udo, vehemently denied any government acquisition of the land, challenging the state to present any documentation to prove otherwise. Udo highlighted a significant procedural lapse, questioning the public interest served by such actions, especially without due process or prior notice to the residents.
Legal recourse was sought by the affected community, with a lawsuit filed against the government officials involved, seeking both declarations of rights to the land and substantial compensation for the damages incurred. The legal battle is emblematic of the broader struggle for justice and recognition of property rights amidst governmental overreach.
The incident in Ifa Ikot Okpon not only casts a shadow over the governance model but also raises critical questions about the respect for individual property rights, the transparency of government actions, and the welfare of citizens in the face of public development projects. As the case unfolds in court, the community waits, hoping for some semblance of justice and restoration of their shattered lives, while the rest of Akwa Ibom State and beyond watch closely, pondering the implications of such draconian measures on the fabric of community trust and social harmony.
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