The Issele-Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has issued a strong warning over what it describes as the brazen and unlawful encroachment on its ancestral land by developers of the proposed Cubana Millennium Estate, insisting that the Delta State Government must act decisively to prevent a looming crisis.
In an open letter acknowledged by Government House, Asaba, on December 1, the community condemned what it called the “reckless invasion” of its farmlands despite an ongoing boundary adjustment process between Issele-Azagba and neighbouring Okpanam, a process the state government has not yet concluded.
Addressing a press conference in Asaba, on Monday December 1, 2025, President General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, Elder Patrick Isichei, stressed that while the community supports genuine investment, it would not tolerate what he described as “forceful and disrespectful acquisition attempts” by the estate developers.
“We are not anti-development,” he said. “But Cubana Group must follow due process. You cannot storm our land under the guise of development. We demand proper negotiation, not intimidation.”
He criticised what he termed the government’s concerning silence as tensions continue to rise, adding that the community’s peaceful disposition should not be misinterpreted as helplessness.
Union spokesman, Hon. Ike Augustin Ijeh, also condemned the situation, revealing that land belonging to Issele-Azagba was allegedly being documented under Okpanam in what he described as a “deliberate misrepresentation”.
“This is our ancestral land, our heritage,” he said. “Ignoring our rights because we choose to follow the law is unacceptable. We are not cowards.”
He further questioned the state government’s neutrality, asking whether Issele-Azagba is being sidelined due to its lack of political representation.
“Are we no longer Deltans?” he queried. “Azagba has always supported the government, yet we are treated like outsiders.”
Hon. Ijeh accused neighbouring communities of taking advantage of the delay in the boundary adjustment report to illegally sell portions of Issele-Azagba land, insisting that the current development falls outside the area officially marked for dispute.
“We are watching our land being sold while government delays action. Enough is enough,” he said.
“This land is not within the disputed boundary, that narrative is false and misleading.”
He demanded that the state government immediately halt all estate-related activities on the contested site.
“We will not take laws into our hands,” he warned. “But the government must step in now. Our patience has limits.”
The community reaffirmed its full compliance with the Deputy Governor’s directive for both communities to stay off all disputed zones pending the committee’s final report.
It maintains that the developers’ continued activities violate the directive and threaten public peace.
Residents are urging the Delta State Government to intervene without delay to avert further escalation, protect community rights, and uphold due process in the interest of justice and peace.
That land belong to issele Azgba no two ways about it Okpanam are just looking for problems dat will eat up their Generation because the God and d gods of that lands is watching when they raise I don’t think there will be solutions from anywhere on earth so Obi Cubana should trade carefully that’s my Opinion