Police invite University of Uyo over land grabbing, other issues

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB), Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Junaid Bukar has invited the Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudo Ukpabio Ndaeyo and six others for interrogation following a petition by the host community against the institution on land grabbing.

The university is alleged of trespassing on an abandoned community land that was hitherto leased to government as a model farm in 1963.

The letter dated November 18, 2022, and signed by the ACP Junaid Bukar invited Prof. Nyaudo Ukpabio Ndaeyo, VC, UNIUYO, Prof. Enefiok Essien, former VC, Paramount ruler of Uyo, HRM, Edidem Sylvania Effiong Okon Uwak, Barr. Marcellinus Marshal Udoakang and Hon. Uduak Ekpenyong to appear before the bureau as soon as possible.

Our reporter learned that, save for the former VC, Prof. Essien, the parties had ignored earlier invitations.

The leader of the group, Obong Essien Essien explained that owing to the abandonment of their community land, some mischievous staff of the University of Uyo in collaboration with politicians, and traditional rulers, trespassed on the land and sold it to the unsuspecting public.

“As law-abiding citizens, we approached the court and judgement was delivered in our favour that, the land was not acquired by government as earlier claimed,” he stated.

He said these and other activities ignited crisis and breach of peace in the community, “hence, our petition to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for intervention.”