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Rivers police nab four officers in land grabbing deal

By Obinna Nwaoku, Port Harcourt
04 August 2022   |   4:00 am
Operatives of Rivers State Police Command, yesterday, arrested four police officers at Cedar Wood Estate, off SARS road, in Obio/Akpor Local Council of the state for alleged involvement in land grabbing and collection of illegal levy from developers in the area.

CP Eboka Friday

Operatives of Rivers State Police Command, yesterday, arrested four police officers at Cedar Wood Estate, off SARS road, in Obio/Akpor Local Council of the state for alleged involvement in land grabbing and collection of illegal levy from developers in the area.

The Guardian learnt that some police officers, with over 15 patrol vans drawn from different tactical units of the Command acting on credible intelligence, raided a building where the suspects usually camp inside the estate.

A source said he noticed four officers and a Hilux vehicle being taken away by the men of the Tactical Unit who came for the arrest.

According to a resident, the arrest followed series of petitions by residents to the Commissioner of Police,
Eboka Friday and the Inspector General of Police,  Usman Alkali Baba, on the illegal activities of police officers and thugs who work with them.

The resident, who explained their modus operandi, said the officers and their collaborators normally come to the site where landowners are developing their land, to ask them to pay money ranging from N100,000  and above. If the developer refuses to pay, he will be beaten up and his/her fence brought down.

Another resident said in some cases, the officers and their collaborators will take over the property of the landlord and sell it to another person.

Residents, who decried the suffering many have gone through at the hands of the officers, thanked the Commissioner of Police for the arrest of the officers.

They urged him to ensure they are disciplined in accordance with the law.

At press time, spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe Koko, was yet to respond to text messages sent to her telephone number.

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