A human rights group, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to investigate alleged complicity of some operatives of the Nigerian police in the protracted land dispute between the Okpalam community and a private company. Ekwe-Ogbidi Integrated Resources Ltd. in the area.
Addressing journalists in Warri,Delta on Monday, the National President of the group, Dr. Kehinde Prince Taiga, accused the management of the said company of “forcefully breaking into the Okpalam ancestral land.”
He alleged that the firm with the backing of some police operatives from Abuja, have destroyed communal properties estimated at millions of naira thus inflicting untold hardship and sufferings on the community.
While calling on the IGP to prosecute all individuals involved, including police operatives found to have facilitated or supported the land grabbing activities, as well as restoration of all destroyed properties and adequate compensation to victims, Taiga commended the police commissioner OlufemiAbaniwonda, for not allowing external pressure to compromise the peace and rule of law in area
He said,”For the past four years, the Okpalam people have endured relentless intimidation, harassment and the destruction of properties worth millions of Naira.
“Despite numerous appeals and formal complaints to the police, justice remains elusive – a result of entrenched corruption within the Nigeria Police Force, particularly among officers from Force Headquarters, Abuja, who are allegedly aiding and abetting the land grabbers.
“CDHR emphasizes that land disputes are civil matters, and the ongoing involvement of Police officers – particularly those acting outside their legal mandate – undermines the rule of law and violates the constitutional rights of citizens. It is deeply troubling that the police, who are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting justice have instead become tools in the hands of land speculators.
“We strongly condemn the abuse of Police power to support criminal elements in illegally acquiring land, a situation that has caused severe unrest in Okpalam community. The role of the police should be to uphold justice and protect the lives and property of citizens – not to collaborate with land grabbers for personal or political gain.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police to initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the activities of the Legal Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja and other officers whose conduct undermines the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force and threatens public trust and safety.
“While we denounce the illegal actions and complicity of certain officers from Abuja, we commend the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP AbaniwondaOlufemi, for standing firm against this unlawful mission.
“CP Olufemi has demonstrated true leadership and integrity by refusing to allow external pressure to compromise peace and the rule of law in Delta State.
“His resistance to these unlawful directives is worthy of national recognition and should serve as a model for others within the police force.”
Efforts by South South Punch to reach the management of Ekwe-Ogbidi Integrated Resources Ltd. for comments on the issues were not successful as of the time of filing this report.
The police Public Relations Officer Delta State command, SP Bright Edafe could not be reached either for comments
