Mile Four Land Dispute Sparks Protest, Disrupts Traffic in Limbe

A long-running land dispute involving hundreds of families in Mile Four, Bonadikombo, Limbe I Subdivision, triggered a public protest on Tuesday, October 13, disrupting traffic into and out of Limbe.

Residents took to the road early in the morning to express concern over the possible loss of properties they say they have occupied and developed for decades, following a 2023 Supreme Court decision linked to ownership of the disputed land.

The property is claimed by Namondo Alice Ekema Wilson. However, several residents maintain that they purchased their plots from the late Blasius Njanjo and have lived in the area for between 25 and 30 years or more.

Some say they hold state-issued land titles covering the properties they occupy.The Supreme Court ruling reportedly dismissed an appeal by Njanjo, allowing Namondo to pursue repossession of the land. Residents say the dispute is linked to a lease dating back to 1955.

For affected families, the uncertainty surrounding the legal proceedings has raised fears about the future of their homes and investments.Residents Seek Traditional Authority’s InterventionOn Monday, October 12, more than 100 residents reportedly gathered at the palace of the Chief of Mile Four, Bonadikombo, Chief David Nanyowe, to present their grievances.

They questioned why they now face possible repossession after years of occupation, insisting that they acquired their properties from Njanjo, whom they regarded as their landlord.

Tensions have also been heightened by reports that gendarmes visited the affected neighbourhoods in recent weeks and served summonses requiring residents to report to the Gendarmerie Legion in Buea on Thursday, October 15.

Copies of the 2023 court ruling were reportedly served on some residents. The dispute is said to affect several quarters, including the area where the Chief’s Palace is located.Protest Disrupts Movement Into Limbe.

The protest began at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, with residents demanding that the government hear their concerns.The blockade disrupted traffic into and out of Limbe, with movement reportedly taking close to two hours to return to normal.

The disruption was particularly significant because Tuesday is a market day. Traders travelling into Limbe to sell their goods faced difficulties accessing the city, while workers, students and other commuters were also affected.

The Divisional Officer for Limbe I, Innocent Moni Nanje, visited the scene and appealed for calm.He advised the residents to comply with the summonses and report to the Gendarmerie Legion in Buea on Thursday, October 15, where they could present their concerns.

Following his intervention, the protesters eventually reopened the road, allowing traffic to resume.Legal Uncertainty RemainsAlthough the blockade has ended, the underlying land dispute remains unresolved from the residents’ perspective.

Key issues include the implications of the Supreme Court ruling, the legal status of the land titles some residents say they possess, and the future of families who maintain that they lawfully acquired and developed their properties over several decades.

The residents are expected to report to the Gendarmerie Legion in Buea on Thursday as the matter continues to unfold.The legal claims of the parties, including the precise implications of the court ruling for individual properties, remain central to understanding the dispute.