Vehicles burnt as fresh communal clash erupts in Rivers

Vehicles and other property were destroyed during a fresh communal clash between the people of Eleme Local Government Area and neighbouring Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to order a full-scale investigation into the incident.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the clash, linked to a protracted land dispute between the two LGAs, started with heavy shooting on Thursday night.

It was learnt that some properties, including vehicles, were burnt in one of the communities.

A source in one of the communities claimed that two persons were missing and that a search team had been set up to ascertain their whereabouts, while an official report had been lodged with the police authorities.

In a viral video seen by our reporter on Friday morning, a Hilux van was in flames while the ear-splitting sound of sporadic shooting rented the air, with people shouting and running as a result of the melee.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Eleme LGA, Obarilomate Ollor, has placed an immediate suspension on all real estate activities within the area, alleging an influx of land grabbers targeting property along the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road and the Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road.

Ollor, in a statement he personally signed and obtained by our correspondent on Friday, also threatened legal action against non-compliant property developers in the area.

He alleged that land grabbers were working with some real estate developers and thugs to invade ancestral lands with impunity, saying the local government would not fold its arms and allow such practice to continue.

Ollor stated, “Our farmers are now compelled to pay illegal tolls before accessing their farmlands, while indigenous landowners are harassed, intimidated, and extorted whenever they attempt to inspect or protect their properties.

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“This unacceptable situation has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and a growing threat to peace, security, and lawful economic activities within Eleme.

“As a responsible government, we have a constitutional obligation to protect the lives and property of every resident of Eleme and to uphold law, order, and peaceful coexistence. We will neither fold our arms nor allow criminal elements to dispossess our people of their ancestral heritage.

“All persons directly or indirectly involved in illegal land grabbing within the Eleme axis of the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road, the Agbonchia–Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, and other parts of Eleme are hereby directed to immediately cease such activities and vacate the affected areas or face the full weight of the law.”

The Eleme LG boss further said that to ensure a thorough investigation into the dispute, the council had petitioned the Rivers State House of Assembly through the lawmaker representing the area.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the shooting, saying the Commissioner of Police had ordered a probe.

Agabe noted that the two LGAs had been embroiled in a lingering land dispute, pointing out that the matter was already before a court.

She stated, “What led to the shooting is a land dispute that has been ongoing for years and both communities are currently in court for that. There was no casualty, only a Hilux vehicle was burnt. The Commissioner of Police has intervened in the matter and has ordered an investigation.

“And as we speak, the investigation is ongoing.