The Inspector-General of Police
Nigerian Police Force
Force Headquarters
Loius Edet House
Abuja, FCT.
Dear Sir,
RE: URGENT PETITION AND CALL FOR IMMEDIATE POLICE INTERVENTION REGARDING ABUSE OF POLICE POWER, LAND GRABBING, AND THREATS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY AT NKBOLU–OROWORUKWO COMMUNITY, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE.
I write in my official capacity as the 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association – Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI), further to a detailed petition submitted by the Nkpolu–Oroworukwo Community Council, Rebisi, Port Harcourt, raising grave allegations of systematic abuse of police power, intimidation of civilians, violent land appropriation, and gross violations of constitutional rights within the said community.
The allegations, spanning several months and supported by detailed narratives, names, dates, and annexures, paint a deeply troubling picture of policing conduct allegedly deployed not for the maintenance of law and order, but for the enforcement of private interests through force, fear, and suppression of lawful dissent of particular concern to the Nigerian Bar Association are allegations that: heavily armed police operatives, including tactical units, were repeatedly deployed to a community land in dispute; despite the pendency of a suit before a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to the petitioner; the community members, journalists, and civilians were arrested, detained, assaulted, threatened, and dispersed with live ammunition and tear gas, leading to reported injuries. The police facilities and personnel were allegedly used to enforce private claims, intimidate community leaders, and suppress access to justice.
There are claims of continued occupation and militarisation of the land, creating a siege-like atmosphere and imminent risk to life, peace, and public order.
Sir, if even partially true, these allegations strike at the very heart of constitutional policing, the rule of law, and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force. They raise serious questions regarding compliance with Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as the Police Act, Police Regulations, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. The Nigerian Bar Association is particularly concerned that a civil land dispute presently before the courts may have been transformed into a policing operation, thereby undermining judicial authority and exposing the Police Force to accusations of partisanship and abuse of office.
In light of the foregoing, the NBA, through its Human Rights Institute, respectfully but firmly calls on your esteemed office to:
1. Order the immediate withdrawal of all police operatives deployed on the disputed land, except for neutral and lawful policing strictly for the preservation of peace; Institute an independent, transparent, and high-level investigation into the conduct of all police officers and units mentioned in the petition.
2. Ensure protection of lives, property, journalists, lawyers, and community leaders, without discrimination or intimidation.
3. Reaffirm the Nigeria Police Force’s neutrality in civil disputes and its commitment to court-led resolution of land and property matters.
4. Communicate the outcome of investigative steps taken to the Nigerian Bar Association in the interest of institutional accountability and public confidence.
Sir, Nigeria is presently grappling with widespread insecurity, social distrust, and fear. In such times, the Police must remain the impartial guardian of the law, not an instrument of fear or private coercion. The NBA stands ready to support lawful policing, but will not hesitate to raise its voice where constitutional order and human dignity appear threatened.
This intervention is made not in hostility, but in patriotic duty, to safeguard the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force and to prevent a local crisis from degenerating into a wider breakdown of law and order.
Kindly accept the assurances of my highest professional regards.
Yours faithfully,
Sebastine Anyia, Esq.
1st Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association
Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute
