The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed allegations of land grabbing against the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The command was reacting to a recent protest by the Rumuosi Council of Chiefs and residents of the community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters had accused the CP of allegedly conniving with land grabbers to dispossess them of their ancestral land at Victory Estate, Rumuosi, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the matter.

However, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said Adepoju’s involvement in the matter was limited to providing security for a court bailiff executing a judgment.

The statement, titled “Re: Grabbing of Land of Victory Estate Land at Rumuosi,” partly reads,”The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a social media video alleging that the Commissioner of Police grabbed or facilitated the grabbing of land belonging to residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi Community, Obio/Akpor LGA.

“The Command categorically dismisses the allegation as false and misleading and wishes to set the record straight by providing the accurate facts and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the matter.

“On March 6, 2025, the Commissioner received an application from O. S. Obior, Esq., on behalf of Kirigust Global Resources Nig. Ltd., requesting police protection for a court bailiff to execute a judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015 – Col. Ogwumerum Eke & Anor. v. Chief Friday Ibeabuchi Anya & Ors.

“The application was referred to the Department of Operations and subsequently to the Police Legal Section for verification. The Customary Court, Choba, confirmed on 21 March 2025 that the judgment was valid and that there was no pending appeal or stay of execution.”

It added, “Based on the legal advice received, police personnel were deployed on 7 and 8 April 2025 solely to provide security for the court bailiff. The Command expressly directed that the officers were not to participate physically in the execution.

“During the execution, residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi, objected, stating that while they did not dispute the validity of the judgment, the judgment related to land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi.

“The Commissioner of Police immediately halted the execution and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims. All relevant parties were invited to state their positions, the disputed location was visited, and photographs of damaged properties were obtained.

“The Command therefore wishes to make it clear that CP Olugbenga Adepoju neither grabbed, acquired, nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi Community.”

“His involvement was limited to granting police protection to a court bailiff after the judgment had been duly verified. Upon receiving objections from the residents, he halted the execution and ordered an investigation, which established that the judgment did not cover the disputed property,” the command said.

The command also noted that Suit No. PHC/1467/FHR/2026, instituted by Col. Ogwumerum Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, was currently before the Rivers State High Court.

It said the command would allow the court to determine the issues before it.

The police further warned officers against engaging in land-related matters without proper authorisation and legal backing.

“The Command wishes to place it on record that all police officers in Rivers State have been warned not to go to any land to guard, enforce or execute any land-related matter without proper authorisation and legal backing, as land matters are regarded as civil, and aggrieved parties should seek redress in court,” the statement added.

While reaffirming the command’s commitment to the rule of law, professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights, Agabe urged members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging reputations.

Source: punchng.com

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A mechanic, identified simply as Samson, has been killed after he was allegedly lured under the pretext of repairing a car in the Abijo area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a police source on Thursday that the incident happened on Tuesday, September 15.

Samson was said to have operated a mechanic workshop around the Warike Estate area of the community.

He was, however, contacted to repair a Mercedes-Benz and proceeded to the location where the vehicle was said to be.

On getting to the location, Samson was allegedly taken into a bush and subsequently hacked to death in the process.

“The victim was lured to the location on the pretext of going to repair a Mercedes-Benz car. We were told that when he got there, he was taken into the bush and killed.

“Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and identify those responsible,” the source disclosed.

The source, however, noted that the suspected cultists were believed to be behind the incident.

Meanwhile, an anti-cultism advocacy platform, in a post seen by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, noted that the killing was a form of retaliation.

“The killing was retaliation for the killing of an Eiye member named Ola Sheu, who was killed by NBM on September 9 around Adeba Bus Stop in the Lakowe area of Ibeju-Lekki.

“It was reported that many people in the area never knew him as an Aye until someone posted this picture of him wearing an Aye cult beret during his graduation to celebrate him on his birthday. This picture revealed his identity to rival cultists, and he was used as retaliation for the killing of Ola Sheu,” the platform wrote.

When contacted on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.

She, however, noted that the family of the deceased victim reported to the police that his whereabouts were unknown.

“Following the receipt of the information, detectives reportedly swung into action and visited the victim’s apartment.

“Efforts are ongoing to track Samson’s mobile phone and locate him. The case remains under investigation,” she added.

Source: punchng.com

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested and detained three more personnel in connection with the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State, bringing the number of officers in custody to 24.

NSCDC Spokesman, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The NSCDC had initially announced the detention of 21 personnel following the deaths of the miners, who died while in the custody of the Corps in Niger State.

The latest arrests came as the Corps ordered its flag to fly at half-mast across all its formations for three days from Sunday, as a mark of mourning over the incident.

The development came 24 hours after the Federal Government constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had announced the committee on Saturday following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Afolabi said the three additional personnel identified in connection with the incident had been suspended, bringing the total number of personnel in custody to 24.

The spokesman noted that all the affected officers and men of the Niger State Command had been moved to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and administrative disciplinary action.

He said, “As against the initial figure of 21 personnel, the Corps Public Relations Officer, three more personnel identified have also been placed on suspension, thereby bringing the total to 24 personnel.

“They are among the officers paraded at the Corps Headquarters.”

Afolabi added that the personnel would also be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said, “In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad, all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have since 17th September 2026 been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

Similarly, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, said the Corps would ensure due process, transparency and accountability in the investigation.

He said every personnel found culpable would face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law.

“As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” Audi said.

The Commandant General also directed that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days beginning Sunday.

The officers currently held include the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye; Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations; Obafemi Elvis; Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal; and other personnel.

The federal government’s 10-member panel is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the responsibilities of any individuals or institutions found to have played a role in the incident.

Source: punchng.com

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