The Imo State Government has issued a final seven-day demolition notice to owners of structures erected under a high-tension power line corridor in parts of Owerri North Local Government Area, escalating tension with residents affected by the planned exercise.
The notice, issued by the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), directed all those who “illegally built at Ishiuzo Egbu/Umuwaka, Awaka, Owerri North under the reserved 333KVA National grid line from Alaoji Transmission Station to Egbu Transmission Station, Owerri” to remove the structures within seven days.
Dated January 26, 2026, the notice warned that demolition would commence immediately after the deadline, with the cost of the exercise charged to the owners of the structures. The government said the action was in line with its commitment to upholding the law, public safety and orderly development in the state.
The document was signed by Chinasa Nwaneri of the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance and Franklin Nzewodo, general manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority.
Residents of the affected communities, however, said the final notice followed earlier warnings by government agencies, including a previous 14-day ultimatum that sparked a peaceful protest last week.
On Friday, January 23, 2026, landlords, caretakers and tenants from Ishiuzo Egbu in Egbu Community staged a peaceful demonstration, appealing to Governor Hope Uzodimma to halt the proposed demolition of more than 70 buildings in the area.
The protesters marched with placards and sang appeal songs, insisting that they acquired their lands legitimately and obtained all required approvals from the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning and the Owerri Capital Development Authority several years ago.
Some protesters who spoke during the demonstration said they were shocked that they were never informed by government agencies that the area was designated for a power line corridor, despite receiving approvals to build.
They appealed to the governor to reconsider the planned demolition and explore dialogue, negotiation or alternative solutions, noting that many families currently live in the affected buildings.
Placards displayed during the protest carried messages such as “Imo Ministry of Lands gave us approval to build,” “OCDA approved our buildings,” and “Please Governor Uzodimma, do not allow the demolition of our houses.”
