The people of Mbaishii communities in Ngor Okpala rose up in anger last Wednesday to peacefully protest what they allege illegal acquisition of their ancestral land by Zion Prayer Ministry.
Parading an empty casket within the Nkwoala market axis during the peaceful protest, both youths, men and women of the affected communities comprising Amala, Ikem, Alatia, Ntu, Eziama and Oburu came out in their numbers expressing their displeasure over the alleged land grabbing saga.
According to the aggrieved protesters, “the leadership of Zion Prayer Ministry led by Evangelist Ebuka Obi has disrespectfully ignored court injunctions obtained by the communities on 16th July 2025 and signed by Dr. C.C. Anyanwu from the High Court in Owerri which instructed the disputing parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice before the court”.
Despite the Court orders, the Zion Ministry in alleged connivance with the Imo State government have continued to erect structures on the land in dispute without any compensation to the land owners.
The protesters further disclosed that the alleged forceful occupation of their land by Zion Ministry has caused serious devastation to the communities as they can no longer see a place to farm .
They added that the massive landmass which provides succour to them especially in the area of paying for their children’s school fees has just slipped off their hands for no just course.
In their views to the press, a youth leader from Alatia-Amala Comrade Chibuike Nwaiwu explained the significance of protesting with an empty casket saying that it has serious spiritual implications especially to the defaulters. According to him, the government and Ebuka Obi have offended the gods of the land of Mbaishii by forcefully entering into their ancestral land without any form of compensation or show of remorse over their actions. Since the poor land owners cannot fight the government or have the financial muscle to challenge Ebuka Obi and his Zion Ministry, they have committed everything to Almighty God and god’s of the land of Mbaishii to take up the fight themselves.
Igwebuike Okere from Umuocham Ntu alleged that “Ebuka Obi and State government collected our land without our consent. Court gave an injunction yet they went ahead in defiance to court order. Enyinnaya Onuegbu our own brother has allegedly been frustrating our efforts just because of his reported political ambition and relationship with the governor. It is very unfortunate that all these are happening in our peaceful area, he concluded.
“The protesters finally set the mock coffin ablaze in anger which is a very big taboo and sacrilege in Igboland.”
Meanwhile, some residents have started rejecting and ejecting some Zion Ministry worshippers who are seeking for shelter in the affected communities as they arrive for the 100 days praying crusade being organized by Evangelist Ebuka Obi at the venue in dispute taking place from today Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October 2025.
