The Ogbe-Ozoma people of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Defence over what they describe as the unlawful deployment of police and military personnel to violently invade their ancestral land.
In separate petitions addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), the community accused Chief Chinedu Okeke of leading a forceful takeover of the disputed land with the backing of armed security operatives.
The petitions, signed by the community’s solicitor, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, are titled “Violent and Bloody Invasion of the Ancestral Land of Ogbe-Ozoma in Okpanam Community, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, by Chief Chinedu Okeke (Alias ‘Ekwe-Ogidi’), Flagrantly Aided by Armed Policemen and Soldiers, and the Wanton Destruction of Properties Valued at Over One Billion Naira.”
According to the Ogbe-Ozoma community, the dispute over the land has been the subject of prolonged litigation, following repeated acts of trespass and aggression allegedly carried out by Okeke, his company—Ekwe-Ogidi Integrated Resources Limited—and other collaborators including some individuals from the neighbouring Issele-Azagba community.
They disclosed that two suits are currently pending before courts of competent jurisdiction in Delta State: 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.
Latter suit
The latter suit, they said, lists Chief Okeke and his company as defendants, represented by a senior advocate of Nigeria.
The petitioners alleged that on the day the Akwukwu-Igbo court sat on the matter, the presiding judge, Justice K. O. Okpu, expressly warned all parties to maintain peace and avoid any action capable of undermining the authority of the court.
However, the community claimed that shortly after the court session, Chief Okeke allegedly mobilised more than forty armed policemen and soldiers to the disputed land.
They described the operation as a “violent and bloody invasion” during which buildings and other properties valued at over ₦1 billion were demolished.
The community further alleged that video evidence submitted with the petition shows uniformed officers wielding weapons, issuing tactical commands and providing cover as the demolition was carried out.
In a separate statement accompanying the petition, the Ogbe-Ozoma people characterised the incident as a state-aided assault executed with a truckload of security operatives, in blatant disregard of judicial proceedings.
Contempt of court
They said the action amounted to contempt of court, a gross abuse of security institutions and a violation of police directives prohibiting involvement in civil land disputes.
The community also expressed shock that such a large contingent of armed personnel could be deployed in support of a private individual, particularly at a time when the Federal Government has ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP duties nationwide.
Consequently, the Ogbe-Ozoma community is demanding an immediate and thorough investigation to identify all security personnel involved and the authority under which they acted, as well as firm disciplinary and criminal sanctions against those found culpable.
They also called for the restoration of law and order on the disputed land and adequate protection for residents, stressing that they have deliberately avoided reprisals in the interest of peace.
Reaffirming their commitment to lawful and peaceful resolution of the dispute, 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 sanctity of the courts and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security and justice institutions.
