The Issele-Azagba community has launched a strong protest against the Cubana Millennium City Project, accusing the Obi Cubana–led group of forcefully seizing and destroying their farmland.
They are urging the Delta State Government to step in immediately and stop all ongoing work on the site until proper discussions are held and due process is followed.
This call was made during a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre in Asaba at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1, where community leaders briefed journalists about what they described as an “unlawful and provocative invasion” of their ancestral land.
Elder Patrick Isichei, President-General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, said the community was shocked when “out of nowhere, the Obi Cubana Group moved onto the disputed land, destroyed farmlands, and started putting up structures,” even though the government was still mediating the conflict.
He explained that the community had earlier petitioned the Deputy Governor about the land dispute, but “nothing came out of it,” and the Cubana Group went ahead with activities on the land.
Isichei noted that Issele-Azagba had fully obeyed the Deputy Governor’s instruction for all parties to stay away from the disputed land pending the completion of a government review on ownership and boundaries. However, he said the Cubana Group ignored this order. He also revealed that a groundbreaking ceremony for new buildings is set for tomorrow—a move he described as provocative, given that the ownership issues remain unresolved.
“We welcome him, but he must do the right thing,” Isichei said. “He should pay homage, apologise, because this land is ours. We’re not against development or investment. But they must negotiate—they cannot just take our land by force.”
Community spokesperson Iyke Augustine added that the Cubana Group had bulldozed “the entire land,” leaving residents anxious and unsettled. He also pointed out that members of the neighbouring Okpanam community were selling lands in the area, worsening tensions and causing confusion over who truly owns what.
Augustine stressed that Issele-Azagba is not against development, investment, or private projects, but insists that “due process must be followed,” saying no investor should take over community land without proper negotiation, consent, or fair compensation.
The community leaders concluded by reaffirming their readiness to work with investors, including the Cubana Group, once all proper procedures and respect for ownership are observed.
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