AGUDAMA WOMEN PROTEST LAND GRABBING, BLOCK MBIAMA-YENAGOA ROAD

Women of Agudama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area in the early hours on Thursday 7th of August 2025, blocked the Agudama axis of the Mbiama-Yenagoa road in protest.
The women, dressed in black, said they were demonstrating against alleged land encroachment and repeated attacks on their farmers by youths from the neighboring Akenfa community.

Speaking to newsmen, Chief Mrs. Lovester Ogon, a Woman Chief in the community alleged that they have been prevented from harvesting their crops, adding that the land being encroached upon is not part of the long-disputed area currently before the Appeal Court.

Other protesting women, who spoke, called on the Bayelsa State Government to urgently intervene and prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

Addressing leaders of the protest, Hon. Ndiwari, Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, assured them that the government would look into their concerns.
He promised to summon a meeting tomorrow by 9am between the leadership of Agudama and Akenfa communities at the council secretariat to resolve the matter amicably.

Correspondent Bright Okpo reports that, the protest which lasted over four hours brought traffic to a standstill and left many commuters stranded, with some forced to trek long distances before finding a tricycle or mini bus to continue their journey.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness, Obadiah Osom, the Paramount Ruler of Akenfa-Epie, has denied allegations made by women of Agudama community, accusing him of authorizing youths from his community to attack them.

Speaking to correspondent Bright Okpo, the monarch stated that all activities by the Akenfa community are within the boundaries of its official survey plan.

On the issue of land grabbing, Chief Osom dismissed the allegation as a fallacy, insisting that Akenfa people are not encroaching on Agudama land.

He stressed that he does not want a communal crisis and appealed to the government to intervene in the matter.

Reported by: Bright Okpo