Delta State Police Crack Team Unit Accused Of Unlawful Arrests In Land Disputes

Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State – Concerns have been raised over the involvement of the Delta State Police Crack Team in land disputes, with allegations of indiscriminate arrests of innocent individuals in civil matters. A recent incident involving the wrongful detention of day labourers working on a Presbyterian Church development site in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom has sparked public outcry and renewed criticism of police interference in land issues.

Despite the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogwashi-Uku having ruled that the dispute was a civil matter, the Local Government Chairman reportedly contacted the Delta State Commissioner of Police to intervene, leading to the transfer of the arrested innocent day labourers to Asaba. These individuals have now been detained beyond the legally permitted period, raising concerns over the violation of their fundamental human rights.

Legal experts and community leaders argue that the police have no authority to interfere in civil land disputes, which should be adjudicated by the courts. The wrongful arrests have been attributed to political interference, as local politicians allegedly pressure law enforcement to advance personal land interests. The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.), has repeatedly warned police officers nationwide against involvement in land disputes, emphasizing that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the judiciary.

The controversy in Ogwashi-Uku has also drawn attention to Pastor Jude Chukwunweike and his sister, Ada Anioma, who are alleged to be leveraging police power to assert land claims in the community. Allegations suggest that they are using law enforcement as a tool to obtain land titles.

Outraged by these developments, members of the Presbyterian Church and concerned citizens have vowed to petition the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Crack Squad, SP Mohammed Ibrahim Balarade, to the Police Service Commission. The petition will highlight repeated cases of police intimidation, wrongful detentions, and the apparent misuse of power in land disputes.

Further exacerbating tensions, the Delta State Police recently became involved in another land dispute in Asaba, where an eighty year old woman died from tear gas fired by trigger happy police over a dispute regarding a wheelbarrow. Instead of addressing the situation amicably and without undue force, police headquarters dispatched several tactical teams to the disputed land, where tear gas was fired at innocent community members. This excessive use of force resulted in the tragic death of an eighty-year-old woman, further fueling public anger and condemnation of police brutality.

Community members and advocacy groups are demanding an urgent review of the role of the Delta State Police and the commissioner of police in land matters and calling for accountability for officers who violate constitutional rights. The repeated interference of law enforcement in civil disputes has not only led to wrongful arrests but has now escalated into tragic consequences.

As the detained labourers remain in police custody without due process, there is mounting pressure on the Delta State Police Command to release them immediately and take corrective action against officers involved in these unlawful actions. The outcome of the petition to the Police Service Commission will be closely watched as residents continue to push for justice and an end to police interference in civil land disputes. Community residents are also concerned about the use of pllice for civil matters when the community is facing serious criminal activities. According to an spokesman if the town union, police should be focused on serious crimes rather than detaining laborers because of a land dispute.

Delta State Police Crack Team Unit Accused Of Unlawful Arrests In Land Disputes