The Issele-Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has intensified its protest over what it describes as the encroachment on its ancestral farmland by developers of the proposed Cubana Millennium Estate. Community leaders are calling on the Delta State Government to step in immediately to prevent rising tension and possible conflict.
In an open letter submitted to Government House, Asaba, and acknowledged on December 1, the community complained that the developers moved into the land despite an ongoing boundary adjustment exercise between Issele-Azagba and neighbouring Okpanam.
The boundary clarification process has not been completed, and community members say any development activity at this stage is both unlawful and provocative.
At a press conference held in Asaba, the President General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, Elder Patrick Isichei, stressed that the community welcomes development projects but opposes what it sees as the forceful takeover of their land.
“We are not anti-investment, but the Cubana Group should come to negotiate and not forcefully acquire our lands,” he said.
Elder Isichei also expressed disappointment with what he described as government inaction, warning that the community’s calm approach should not be mistaken for weakness.
“As law-abiding citizens of Delta State, we want our voice heard. Our patience must not be seen as surrender,” he added.
Also speaking at the briefing, spokesperson Hon. Ike Augustin Ijeh said the community was surprised to find that the land—believed to historically belong to Issele-Azagba—was allegedly documented under Okpanam.
“This is our ancestral land, our heritage,” he insisted.
“Choosing to obey the law doesn’t make us cowards.”
He commended the state government for earlier attempts to reduce tensions but criticised what he called a troubling silence and lack of follow-up.
“Are we no longer Deltans?” he asked. “No community is more Deltan than Azagba. We have supported the government in all ways, even without direct benefits.”
Hon. Ijeh demanded that the government make its position clear.
“Is it because we have no one in government to speak for us?” he questioned.
Hon. Ijeh further accused neighbouring communities of taking advantage of the delay in the boundary adjustment report to sell parts of Issele-Azagba’s land.
“While we wait for government to finish its work, other communities are selling off our lands,” he said.
“And the land in question is not even part of the disputed boundary area.”
He called for an immediate halt to all activities on the land.
“We don’t want to take laws into our hands. Government should stop everything going on there for now,” he warned.
Issele-Azagba leaders said they have fully complied with the Deputy Governor’s earlier directive asking both communities to stay off disputed lands until the boundary committee completes its work. However, they argue that the developers’ presence violates that order and may cause unrest.
Residents are now appealing to the Delta State Government to take urgent and decisive action to stop all development activities on the land, enforce the stay-off directive, complete the boundary adjustment process, prevent further tension or conflict, and ensure that due process is followed.
They warn that without swift government intervention, the situation could escalate and threaten peace in the area.
