Imo Begins Recovery of Illegal Lands, Warns of Demolition

The Imo State Government has commenced the recovery of government-owned lands allegedly acquired illegally across the state, warning that all unauthorised structures on the affected properties will be demolished while those behind the illegal allocations and forged land documents will face prosecution.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, July 2, 2026, by Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, and made available to journalists in Owerri.

According to the government, the exercise follows earlier public notices directing individuals who unlawfully acquired government lands to vacate the affected properties, adding that enforcement would begin immediately.

“The state government has commenced processes of recovering its lands illegally acquired by some persons at different parts of the state,” Nwaneri said.

The government identified the affected locations as Redemption Estates 1, 2, 3 and 4 belonging to 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.

Nwaneri said all fences, partitions and other structures found on the affected lands would be removed as the recovery exercise gathers pace.

“Fences or partitions found on such lands will be demolished without further recourse,” he said.

The government also warned that individuals involved in the illegal allocation and sale of public lands, as well as those who forged documents to facilitate such transactions, would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Those involved in the forgery of documents to perpetrate such acts will also be made to face the law accordingly,” Nwaneri said.

He explained that the exercise is intended to protect public assets, restore order to land administration and safeguard the interests of law-abiding residents.

“The exercise was aimed at protecting public assets, restoring order in land administration and safeguarding the interests of the law-abiding citizens,” he said.

The government advised residents, prospective land buyers and property developers to verify the authenticity of land titles with the appropriate government agencies before entering into any transaction to avoid legal consequences arising from the recovery exercise.

It maintained that the action forms part of its constitutional responsibility to protect public property and ensure transparency in land administration across Imo State.