There were protests on Saturday at Umuezenta, Umuomaunta Mbawsi Nsulu, by people who identified themselves as landowners from the eight communities where the Abia State government has proposed to build an airport.
The protesters, comprised of youths and elderly persons, said they opposed the state government using their ancestral lands for the airport project.
According to them, the proposed project will lead to the destruction of their farmlands, adding that successive administrations in the state treated them unfairly.
Speaking during the protest, the village head of Umuezenta, Mr Ukaumunna Echezolam, said that the Abia State government did not meet the right persons before taking the decision to site the airport on their land.
He said that the project, if built, would make his people lose their lands, which are their sources of livelihood.
According to him, youths whose fathers are still alive cannot decide for their communities, adding that his people still lack basic amenities
