Ogbe-Ozoma Community Petitions IGP, Defence Minister Over Alleged Police–Military Invasion of Ancestral Land in Delta

The Ogbe-Ozoma community of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Minister of Defence over what it described as the unlawful deployment of police and military personnel to invade its ancestral land.

In separate petitions addressed to the IGP and the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), and signed by the community’s solicitor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the Ogbe-Ozoma people alleged a violent and bloody invasion of their land by Chief Chinedu Okeke, also known as “Ekwe-Ogidi,” allegedly aided by more than 40 armed policemen and soldiers.

The petitions, titled “Violent and Bloody Invasion of the Ancestral Land of Ogbe-Ozoma in Okpanam Community, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State… Request for Urgent and Decisive Intervention,” accused Chief Okeke and his collaborators, including some individuals from the Issele-Azagba community, of persistent trespass, aggression and unlawful interference with Ogbe-Ozoma land.

According to the community, the dispute is already before competent courts in Delta State, with two suits currently pending: Suit No. HCI/23/2021 at the High Court of Issele-Ukwu/Onicha-Ugbo Judicial Division, and Suit No. AKW/118/2025 at the High Court of Akwukwu-Igbo Judicial Division. Chief Okeke and his company, Ekwe-Ogidi Integrated Resources Limited, are defendants in the latter suit and are represented by a senior advocate.

The petitioners stated that on December 11, 2025, the presiding judge of the High Court of Akwukwu-Igbo, Justice K. O. Okpu, cautioned all parties in open court to maintain peace and refrain from actions capable of undermining the authority of the court.

However, they alleged that later the same day, Chief Okeke allegedly led a violent invasion of the disputed land, purportedly backed by more than 40 heavily armed policemen and soldiers. The community claimed that the operation resulted in the demolition of buildings and other structures valued at over ₦1 billion.

In a separate statement titled “Ogbe-Ozoma Community Petitions IGP and Minister of Defence Over Bloody, State-Aided Invasion of Their Ancestral Land,” the community described the incident as a state-aided assault allegedly carried out with a truckload of security operatives, in flagrant violation of subsisting court processes.

The community further alleged that video evidence attached to the petitions shows uniformed officers brandishing weapons, issuing tactical commands and providing security cover while properties on the land were being destroyed.

Describing the incident as a gross abuse of state security apparatus for private purposes, the Ogbe-Ozoma people said the alleged deployment violated the IGP’s standing directives prohibiting police involvement in land disputes, constituted contempt of court, and set a dangerous precedent capable of triggering communal unrest.

They also expressed concern that such a large number of armed security personnel could be deployed to advance the private interests of an individual, especially at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly ordered the withdrawal of police operatives attached to VIPs across the country.

The community is calling for an immediate and comprehensive investigation to identify all security personnel involved and the authority under which they acted, disciplinary and criminal sanctions against any officers found culpable, restoration of law and order on the disputed land, and adequate security protection for the community.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace and due process, the Ogbe-Ozoma community said it has deliberately avoided reprisals to prevent a breakdown of law and order, but warned that it cannot remain helpless in the face of what it described as “weaponised impunity carried out under the shield of state uniforms.”

The community urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister of Defence and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to protect lives and property, uphold the authority of the courts and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

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