Young farmers allege forced eviction, harassment as Delta State Government maintains silence over disputed agricultural land
By Palang Paul
The Young Nigerian Rights Organization has accused the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku of illegally taking over and selling a government-established youth agricultural farm to Chinese interests, issuing an urgent call for the Delta State Government to intervene before the livelihoods of dozens of young farmers are destroyed.
In a strongly worded press release issued on March 10, 2026, activist Comrade Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box Nigeria, alleged that the traditional ruler has fenced off a cluster farm located near Admiralty University in Aniocha South Local Government Area—land originally acquired during the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and later allocated to youth farmers under the state’s YAGEP agricultural empowerment program during Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s tenure.
“The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku may be the traditional custodian of community land, but he does not possess the authority to sell or reallocate land already acquired and allocated by the Delta State Government for public programs,” the statement read. “Any such action, whether directly or through proxies, is unlawful and unacceptable.”
According to the rights group, several young beneficiaries have been operating poultry and crop farms on the land since 2015, building sustainable livelihoods through the government’s flagship youth empowerment initiative. However, in the past two years, these farmers have reportedly faced systematic harassment, destruction of crops, theft of farm assets, and now a forced eviction notice.
“Just recently, the farm premises were fenced off and the farmers were given three months to vacate land that legally belongs to the Delta State Government and was allocated to them under a government program,” the organization disclosed.
Most alarmingly, the group claims to have received credible information that the land may have been sold to Chinese interests—a development that raises serious questions about land governance, abuse of traditional authority, and the protection of youth empowerment investments in the state.
The organization further alleged that similar questionable land transactions have occurred across Aniocha South communities, including Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Uno, Otulu, and Aboh-Ogwashi-Uku, among others.
The group issued four immediate demands to the Delta State Government:
Immediate intervention to halt all fencing, demolition, or takeover activities at the cluster farm
Protection of youth farmers currently operating on the land and restoration of their access to their farms
A full investigation into allegations of illegal land sales linked to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku or his representatives
Clear clarification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Job Creation on the legal status of the farm
“The continued silence of the Delta State Government on matters like this only emboldens impunity and undermines the very youth empowerment programs it claims to promote,” the statement warned.
The organization threatened escalation through public protests, legal action, and international advocacy platforms if the injustice is not urgently addressed.
“The livelihoods of these young farmers must not be sacrificed on the altar of elite land grabbing. Enough is enough.”
As of press time, the Delta State Government and the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku had not issued any official response to the allegations.
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