Residents and landlords of Unity Estate, Eneka, in Rivers State, are calling for urgent intervention from the state government following the unlawful demolition of houses and destruction of landed properties in their community. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, has left many families homeless and raised serious concerns about the rule of law and human rights in the area.
According to some unverified accounts, heavily armed thugs, accompanied by bulldozers, stormed Unity Estate, Eneka, and began demolishing houses, pulling down fences, and physically assaulting landlords.
The perpetrators claimed they were enforcing a court judgment in favor of the Rumunduru community against the Eneka community. However, no court judgment was served to the affected landlords or tenants prior to the demolition, casting doubt on the legality of the operation.
Many of the affected homeowners have lived on their properties for 20 to 30 years, making the sudden and violent eviction even more devastating. Residents were also prevented from recording videos of the incident, further fueling suspicions about the motives behind the operation.
In a disturbing twist, landlords and tenants were reportedly mandated to pay N300,000 each as “registration money,” with instructions to bring the payment in cash—bank transfers were not accepted. This demand has been widely condemned as an extortion scheme disguised as legal enforcement.
The demolitions are reportedly set to continue today, Thursday, February 20, 2025, unless immediate action is taken to halt the operation.
The residents of Unity Estate, Eneka, are now appealing to the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, and the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Ambassador Chijoke Ihunwo, to investigate the incident and ensure justice is served. They are also calling on human rights organizations, the media, and well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices to the cause and expose what they describe as an act of oppression.
This incident highlights the growing issue of land grabbing and the abuse of power in Nigeria, particularly in vulnerable communities. The residents of Unity Estate, Eneka, are determined to fight for their rights and seek justice for the unlawful destruction of their homes and properties.
