CSOs Intervene On Tension Over Disputed Akwa Ibom Land

A coalition of some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have waded into a dispute over the ownership of a piece of land allegedly within the 25th Anniversary Estate, near the Mobile Police Base along Idoro Road, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the coalition including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOS) under the aegis of the Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community (AIHRC), said the intervention became necessary to forestall any breach of peace between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the host community

“We find it very disturbing that any unprofessional conduct may likely constitute a threat to the age-long excellent and peaceful relationship the Police have had with land-owners, communities and neighbours,” the convener of the AIHRC, Barr. Clifford Thomas, noted.

“We are institutions and individuals, who are involved in promoting, protecting and practising the observance of human rights of persons in Akwa Ibom, and indigenes of the State residing outside the State,” he explained.

He alleged that the State Police Command had forcefully trespassed into a private property legitimately owned by a private business and refused to peaceably vacate the land measuring approximately 9.529 hectares at the 25th Anniversary Estate Road.

“Documentary evidence available confirms that the land in issue is private property owned by Nature Control Company Limited, which has made substantive investment in the acquisition of the property legitimately from the previous allottee and owner, Papi Events and Promotions Limited (which got the allocation on May 22, 2023) from the Akwa Ibom State government, for residential purposes.

“But on the 23/08/2023, Papi Events and Promotion Limited nominated and appointed Nature Control Company Limited as her true and lawful attorney over 7. 340 hectares (when the boundary demarcation was carried out) out of the 9. 529 hectares”, maintaining that “by virtue of this transaction, ownership was transferred.

“The Nigerian Police has never had the land, but had forcefully trespassed into the land, and refused to vacate the land, even after the communities that donated the land to the government and boundary adjustment conducted by the State Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, and several other authorities making it very clear that the Police land did not extend to this other parcel of land.

“Efforts to get the Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Azare, to see reasons and the need to understand the situation, and leave the land, was met with stiff opposition, resistance and threats. It is reported that he informed the owner of the land to do anything he intends to do, that the Police was waiting,” he said.

But responding, the Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, maintained that the land remains rightly theirs, insisting that it was allocated to them by government.

“The land in question was duly allocated to the Police Mobile Force, 26 Squadron of the Akwa Ibom State Command by the Akwa Ibom State Government in 1992.

“It is pertinent to state that, owing to the fact that the land was not fenced at the time, an individual surfaced in the year 2024 with a purported letter of allocation, laying claim to ownership of the same parcel of land.

“In response to this development, the command formally wrote to the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Akwa Ibom State, categorically rejecting the said allocation and requesting a thorough, fair and unbiased investigation into the matter.

“The command is currently awaiting the outcome of this investigation.

The command categorically states that allegations of land grabbing are entirely unfounded, baseless, and without any merit. At no time has the Command engaged in, or will it condone, any form of unlawful acquisition of land.

“However, the command will not stand by and allow any individual or group to unlawfully encroach upon or take over land legitimately allocated to the Police under any guise whatsoever.

“The command remains resolute in protecting its assets and will pursue all lawful means to safeguard its property.

“The command remains committed to due process and lawful resolution of the issue and urges all parties to refrain from actions capable of undermining ongoing administrative processes,” the Polce said.