In Umuchima, the largest of the 14 communities in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, residents are living in constant fear and grief. What was once a vibrant and joyful community has transformed into a place of displacement, loss, and mourning.

Since former Governor David Nweze Umahi assumed office in 2015, and continuing in his current role as Minister of Works, residents claim their lives have been marred by a series of demolitions, land seizures, and violent confrontations carried out under government orders. These actions have caused severe psychological trauma, poverty, and, in several cases, death.

“We are no longer living. We are only enduring,” one elder shared with SaharaReporters. “Every day we wake up not knowing whose home will fall next.”

The Impact on the Community

Residents allege that forced demolitions have affected not only homes but also ancestral compounds and farmlands, supposedly for government purposes. Many families have lost their homes, their livelihood, and, tragically, their loved ones.

The community remembers Mrs. Elizabeth Offora, a widow, whose world collapsed twice. First, she lost her husband, and then, during a demolition, the land where he had been buried was exhumed. Family members recount how she collapsed upon seeing her husband’s decomposing body, and she died three days later.

Another widow, Regina Mgbeke, reportedly suffered paralysis after losing her home and source of income. She passed away shortly thereafter, leaving behind children who are now orphans.

The story of 81-year-old Mazi Amadi Onu is equally heartbreaking. His children recount how the demolition of his compound and the unearthing of his ancestors’ tombs left him devastated. After weeks of uncontrollable grief, he went blind and passed away bedridden.

The tragedy doesn’t stop there. Paul Eze, a 33-year-old youth, died after he attempted to stop the demolition of a neighbor’s house. He was severely beaten by demolition agents and, soon after, fell ill and passed away. His death has become a symbol of the community’s helplessness in the face of these constant attacks.

The Fear and Uncertainty

What troubles residents the most is the unpredictability of the demolitions. Several allege that groups of men, often linked to local power brokers allegedly supported by Minister of Works Umahi, arrive under the cover of night. They break windows, destroy building materials, and harass residents.

In one such incident in January 2025, Mrs. Janet Esu Enyi Nwanjoku allegedly believed her only surviving son had been killed in the chaos. She screamed his name until her voice broke and passed away by morning.

Community leaders have also been targeted. In May 2025, it was reported that individuals trailed President-General Arc. Sunday Chukwu and Secretary-General Ezenwa James, sparking fears of abduction.

“Nowhere feels safe,” one community leader lamented. “It is as though our voices must be silenced.”

The Allegations Against Former Gov. Umahi

The community believes that former Governor Umahi, through his position as governor and now as a federal minister, has been at the heart of this issue. They allege that he used his influence to seize lands, demolish homes, and cause widespread displacement.

What remains certain, however, is that Umuchima is a community in distress. Residents are not merely seeking sympathy but are demanding accountability, investigation, and intervention.

A Call for Government Intervention

The community is now calling on both the Ebonyi State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to send an independent delegation to verify whether any legitimate state or federal projects require the land in question. They seek to determine the lawful boundaries of such projects and to halt what they describe as the “ongoing desecration and displacement” of their homes.

“If the government needs land, let them show us the project,” the community said. “If they do not need the land, these demolitions must stop.”

The Human Cost

Images of demolished houses, the stories of death, and the loss of cherished ancestral sites make the human cost of these actions undeniable. Graves, shrines, and trees planted decades ago have been destroyed.

“We are losing not just land,” an elder said, “We are losing history.”

At the heart of this ongoing tragedy is a plea from ordinary people who feel marginalized in their own birthplace. “Let the world hear our cry,” one resident pleaded. “Let the government rescue us.”

Government Response

SaharaReporters reached out to Chief David Umahi, the Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, for his reaction to these allegations. However, all attempts to contact him via phone and text message were unsuccessful at the time of this report.