The Rivers State Command has reacted to an allegation that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Special Area Rumuodomaya(Rumuokoro Police station) is fraternizing with an alleged land grabber, Stephen Onyegwa.
Two landlords of Cedarwood estate at SARS road in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Mr. Chinedu Igweze and Gbenga Oladapo who spoke for the affected landlords during a protest yesterday had accused the DPO of conniving with Mr Nyegwa to grab their property.
The Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko while reacting to the allegation, said the Police received a distress call that there was an issue going on in the estate last Monday inform of protest which may likely cause breach of peace.
SP Iringe-Koko disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer of Rumudomaya Special Area quickly dispatched some personnel to the Cedarwood estate to ascertain the issue and the parties involved were brought to his office.
The Rivers Police Image Maker stated that when the parties were brought before the DPO,after hearing from the parties involved in the matter, the DPO found out that it was a property dispute which is civil in nature.
She said, the DPO on strength of his findings, told the parties that the Police do not get involved in civil matter like land dispute.
The spokesperson revealed that the DPO further advised the parties to maintain peace and anybody that is aggrieved can approach the court.
The Rivers State Police Spokesperson maintained that the DPO or any other Officer of the command are not involved in land grabbing directly or by proxy as the command is in tandem with the directive of Inspector General of Police,Kayode Egbetokun for personnel to abstain from involving themselves in civil matters.
Source: Awajis Chijindu
