The Imo State Government has begun the process of recovering government-owned lands that were allegedly acquired or allocated illegally across different parts of the state.
The government also warned that structures erected on the affected lands would be demolished, while individuals involved in the illegal allocation, sale or forgery of land documents would face prosecution.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.
According to the statement, the exercise follows earlier public notices and warnings issued by the government regarding the recovery of lands said to have been unlawfully allocated.
The affected areas include Redemption Estates 1, 2, 3 and 4 owned by the Imo Housing Corporation, Area P in New Owerri, Area T, Area K in Alaoma Layout, Paradise Layout in Ottamiri North, Ottamiri South, Naze Industrial Layout, Ogbaku Estate Layout and other government layouts across the state.
The government stated that enforcement would begin immediately, adding that fences, partitions and other structures found on the affected properties would be removed without further notice.
It also warned that anyone found forging land documents or participating in illegal land transactions would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
According to the government, the exercise is aimed at protecting public assets, restoring order to land administration and safeguarding the interests of law-abiding residents.
The state further advised residents, property developers and prospective land buyers to verify the authenticity of land titles through the appropriate government agencies before purchasing land to avoid legal complications arising from the ongoing recovery exercise.
