By Tonye Robinson In a shocking revelation, several victims of land grabbing in the Igboetche area of Rivers State have pointe...
By Tonye Robinson
In a
shocking revelation, several victims of land grabbing in the Igboetche area of
Rivers State have pointed fingers at the State Commissioner of Police, CP
Olatunji Disu, alleging his involvement in the criminal act that has plagued
the region. The victims also implicated some Rivers State government officials
in the illicit activities, which have seen land grabbers trespassing on private
property, demolishing buildings, and causing immense distress to the affected
individuals.
According to the victims, their numerous attempts to seek help from the authorities were met with indifference. They claimed that police stations would turn them away, citing instructions from the Commissioner of Police not to intervene in any land-related matters. Despite explaining that the issue at hand was a criminal trespass endangering their lives, the victims felt abandoned by the police.
Angela Chidi, one of the victims, expressed her frustration, stating, "The Nigeria Police Force had been bought over; therefore, all the cries, protests, and media complaints have fallen on deaf ears, with no action or investigation being carried out."
Another victim, Beatrice Okorodudu, expressed disbelief at the police's lack of action. She said, "What surprises me the most is that despite the land grabbers using sophisticated rifles to intimidate and dispossess people of their rightful properties, the police have remained passive. This criminal activity has been going on for far too long, and I believe the Commissioner of Police is well aware of it."
Matthew Akan, a farmer whose land was forcibly taken, recalled an incident when he accompanied another victim to a police station, seeking assistance. He claimed that the Divisional Police Officer refused to attend to their land-related issue, stating that it was an instruction from higher authorities. Akan vehemently expressed, "God will pay the police in Rivers State for supporting criminals and putting our lives in danger."
In reaction to a social media post about land grabbing in Igboetche, Engr. Gift Amaechi alleged the involvement of the Chief Judge and Commissioner of Police, stating, "You won't succeed in land grabbing if the chief judge and commissioner of police are not aware. They are into it together. As it stands now, I don't think there is any land in IgboEtche that is free from trouble."
Land grabbing, though not unique to Nigeria, has become prevalent due to urban migration and the pursuit of new opportunities. It operates as a cartel, involving titled chiefs, corrupt law enforcement officers, lawyers, armed thugs, and anonymous individuals within the judiciary, all driven by a seemingly insatiable appetite for land acquisition.
The affected communities are increasingly worried about the trend, with youths in Etcheland expressing restiveness. They fear that if the land-grabbing menace, especially in the Igbo-Agwuruasa Kingdom, is not addressed promptly, the entire region could become unsafe in the near future.
According to a previous publication by a Port Harcourt-based media house (Port Harcourt Telegraph), landowners who have resisted land grabbers' attempts to seize their properties have been falsely accused in petitions, allegedly arrested by individuals in uniform, and sent to prison awaiting trial.
Chukwunonye, a resident of Chokocho, along with the leader of his family, faced legal repercussions after opposing the forceful acquisition of their land near County Grammar School, Iwerre/Etche. Media personnel visited the prisoners some years ago to meet the victims of the land encroachment in Chokocho. Following the release of a print report, the two men were reunited with their families, as the report exposed the truth about the situation.
Recently, Mr. Stainless Nweke, a native of Chokota and former supervisory councillor of the Etche Local Government Council, was arrested by the police. Sources suggest that his arrest may be related to a false complaint made by suspected land encroachers.
Our investigation indicates that the issue of land grabbing in the region initially emerged in Umuebelu. Umuebelu, an oil-rich community, experienced the mysterious death of Chief Njoku, their traditional ruler. Located on the boundary between Etche and Oyigbo Local Government Areas, the problem of land grabbing has now permeated various regions of the Igbo kingdom, home to a respected monarch.
In light of the ongoing criminal activities, concerned landlords of Freedom Estate in Igboetche have penned a petition to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police. They urge immediate intervention to protect the lives and properties of residents, highlighting the alleged involvement of police officers providing cover for the land grabbers.
The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that land grabbers often accompany their illicit activities with individuals dressed in police uniforms, exploiting the trust and credibility of law enforcement agents.
The residents of Freedom Estate implore the Commissioner of Police to address this urgent matter and restore peace and security to their community. Moreover, they call for a thorough investigation into the allegations of collusion between land grabbers and police officers.
Concerned citizens have raised their voices through various media channels, emphasising the need for swift action against the unrest, shootings, intimidation, harassment, and abductions taking place in Igbo-Etche. One recent case involved the abduction of Hon. Agbagbuo Teslin, the Revenue Chairman of the Etche Local Government Council, who dared to stand against the land grabbers' forceful possession of people's land using arms.
Marshal Israel, a former representative of Bayelsa and Rivers State in the federal Public Complaint Commission, also expressed his concerns about the escalating criminal activities in Igboetche. In a letter to the Commissioner of Police, he highlighted the rise in kidnapping, armed robbery, land grabbing, and drug trafficking in the area. Israel called for immediate action to address the situation and emphasised the need to collaborate with relevant agencies to restore peace and security.
In an effort to hear from the side of the Nigeria Police Force, Intact Newspaper had a telephone conversation with DSP Grace Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), informing her of the allegations made against the police concerning land-grabbing activities in Igbo-Etche. DSP Iringe-Koko informed the newspaper that she could not provide an immediate reaction without verifying the facts. She explained that land-related cases are considered civil matters, and the police do not typically intervene.
When the Intact Newspaper mentioned that the victims claimed some individuals perpetrating the land-grabbing act were carrying arms and shooting guns, DSP Iringe-Koko stated that she was unaware of these allegations and reiterated the necessity of verifying all the facts. She stated that these could be mere allegations against the police, and she needed concrete evidence to provide a proper response.
Before the publication of this report, Intact Media had yet to get additional response from the police public relations officer, for further clarifications. .
More details coming soon...
4th
April, 2024
COMMENTS