By Polycarp Nwaeke
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has directed the immediate suspension of all activities in the disputed boundary area between Eleme Local Government Area and Okrika Local Government Area pending consultations with the Rivers State Government, the judiciary and other relevant authorities.
The directive followed a meeting at the Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt with the chairmen of Okrika, Eleme and Etche Local Government Area.
The meeting was convened in response to reports circulating on social media about an alleged boundary dispute between Eleme and Okrika, reportedly fuelled by the activities of land grabbers and encroachment on ancestral lands.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Okrika Local Government Chairman, Akuro Tobins, described reports of violence as exaggerated, saying the situation had been blown out of proportion on social media.
He maintained that there was no crisis and disclosed that both local government councils had agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution of the matter.
“The way people are going about the issue on social media, saying people are dying and people are shooting guns is not true. The issue is being addressed.
By the grace of God, the Eleme council chairman is here with me today, and we have asked the police and DSS to swing into action to ensure that the area causing concern remains peaceful. Everything is under control,” Tobins said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Olor announced an immediate ban on all real estate activities within the affected area.
He said his administration remains committed to protecting the lives, property and ancestral lands of the Eleme people.
“From now henceforth, anybody doing business in the area must relate with the local government to obtain proper documentation before proceeding.
As for the area that caused the crisis, the Commissioner of Police has made it clear that there should be no operations there — no equipment and no activities — until the Director of the DSS and the team conclude consultations with the Governor and other relevant authorities. There is peace, and we are going back to inform our people,” Olor stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chima Boniface Njoku, said the 23 local government chairmen in Rivers State remain united and are working together to tackle land-grabbing and protect communities across the state.
“We saw some persons who believe they can come to Rivers State and cause crisis while hiding under some communities. Eleme and Okrika have lived peacefully for many years, and God will not allow anyone to create problems between these two families.
Nothing will make anyone cause trouble between Eleme and Okrika or any other local government in Rivers State. We thank the Commissioner of Police for giving the two local governments time to exercise patience. In due course, the issues will be resolved. The two local governments are not at war,” Njoku said.