By Kenneth Orusi, Managing Editor
Residents of Obozoma Community in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on the Federal Government, Delta State Government, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to urgently investigate allegations of police brutality, intimidation, unlawful arrests, and land grabbing arising from a protracted land dispute in the community.
The appeal came from community leaders and victims who on Wednesday June 3rd 2026, alleged that Bethel Court Estate has been allegedly using security operatives to intimidate indigenous landowners and facilitate the takeover of disputed properties.
The community members insist that while the ownership dispute remains a matter for lawful resolution, their primary concern is what they described as the growing use of armed security personnel in a civil land matter.
Contractor Recounts Alleged Shooting During Land Dispute
One of the victims, Mr. Victor Okoye, popularly known as Fuji, a contractor and indigene of Okpanam, alleged that he sustained a gunshot injury during a confrontation on February 9, 2026.
According to him, the disputed land formed part of a five-acre allocation given to him by the community as compensation for services he rendered during development projects in the area.
Narrating his ordeal, Okoye said he was among several contractors invited by community leaders after reports emerged that portions of the land were being fenced off and incorporated into Bethel Court Estate development.
“The land they are working on belongs to me. I worked for it and was compensated by the community. Some of the plots had already been allocated to people, and some had built houses on them,” he said.
He alleged that upon arriving at the site, they discovered that existing structures and fences had been demolished.
“When we got there, we saw that structures, fences and properties belonging to people had been destroyed. Some of the people who bought the land had already built duplexes there,” he alleged.
Okoye claimed that armed police officers and other security personnel accompanied those carrying out the demolition exercise.
“The type of police presence there was overwhelming. There were officers from different units and armed men everywhere. It looked more like a military operation than a civil matter,” he alleged.
According to him, he was shot while protesting the exercise.
“I was telling them to stop what they were doing because the land belonged to me. They said they should shoot and kill. That was how I was shot in the leg,” he claimed.
Victim Seeks Justice
The contractor said the injury has affected his livelihood and ability to provide for his family.
“I am a family man with children and dependants. Since the incident, life has been difficult. The pain was unbearable and I have struggled to return to work,” he said.
He accused those behind the disputed development of using security agencies to suppress opposition from local landowners.
“Police are meant to protect lives and property, but what we are seeing is intimidation. We want justice. We want the government to intervene and stop the harassment of indigenous people over land that belongs to them,” he stated.
Community Alleges Pattern of Intimidation
Also speaking, Chairman of the Obozoma Community Land Allocation Committee, Mr. Chinedu Ofuani, alleged that residents have endured years of intimidation linked to the disputed property.
According to him, the issue has gone beyond land ownership and has become a matter of human rights and abuse of power.
“This is not just about land anymore. This is about intimidation of an entire community. We have been suffering from police harassment because we are defending our ancestral property,” he alleged.
Ofuani accused some private interests of using law enforcement agencies to harass community leaders and residents involved in the dispute.
“They keep telling us that they have the police in their hands and that nobody can stop them. That is why we are speaking out today,” he claimed.
Allegations of Arbitrary Arrests and Detention
The community leader also recounted what he described as his personal experience in police custody, alleging that he was arrested, blindfolded, physically assaulted and detained.
“I did not resist arrest and I did not commit any crime. Yet I was blindfolded, handcuffed and taken away. I was treated like a criminal,” he alleged.
He further claimed that several community members had been arrested and prosecuted over allegations that were later dismissed.
“Some people were charged and sent to prison only for authorities to later conclude that there was no case against them. These actions have created fear throughout the community,” he said.
According to Ofuani, residents have repeatedly reported incidents of encroachment and property destruction but received little response from law enforcement authorities.
“People’s houses and fences were demolished without any court order. Instead of stopping the destruction, those carrying it out were allegedly protected,” he claimed.
Calls for Independent Investigation
The community leaders stressed that their major concern is the alleged involvement of security personnel in a matter they believe should be resolved through legal and judicial processes.
“If there is a dispute over land, the courts should decide. The police should not be seen taking sides in a civil matter,” Ofuani stated.
They called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Delta State Government to investigate the allegations.
“We are appealing to the authorities to investigate these allegations and ensure accountability. Nobody should use state institutions to intimidate indigenous people from their own land,” he said.
Residents Urge Government Intervention
The community maintained that the focus should not only be on the land dispute but also on the plight of those who claim to have suffered injuries, arrests and intimidation.
“The victims and the community should be the focus. We are talking about people who have suffered injuries, arrests and harassment. The government must intervene before the situation escalates further,” a community representative said.
The residents appealed to both the Federal and Delta State Governments to launch an independent inquiry into the allegations and ensure justice for all affected parties.
As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command and the individuals accused by the community had not publicly responded to the allegations.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain words from the police failed.
