Police probe fresh Rivers communal clash

On Thursday night, a new wave of communal unrest erupted in Rivers State, Nigeria, as clashes broke out between residents of Eleme and Okrika local government areas. The violence, which reportedly stems from a long-standing land dispute tied to the Port Harcourt Refining Company, escalated quickly, resulting in significant damage and heightened tensions in the region. According to reports, several properties, including vehicles, were destroyed during the incident, with one video showing a Hilux vehicle engulfed in flames amid sporadic gunfire. This footage circulated widely online, capturing the chaos and fear experienced by local residents who fled the scene for safety. The conflict appears to have deep roots, with historical grievances over land ownership fueling recent confrontations. The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Ollor, has taken decisive action in response to the escalating violence. He announced the immediate suspension of all real estate activities within his jurisdiction, citing concerns about land speculation and illegal invasions of ancestral lands. Ollor accused land grabbers, alongside certain estate developers and groups of thugs, of exacerbating the crisis by encroaching upon territories along critical roads such as the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road and the Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. In a formal statement, Ollor detailed how these actions have disrupted the daily lives of local farmers, who now face illegal tolls when attempting to access their farmlands. Indigenous landowners, he claimed, are being harassed and extorted whenever they try to inspect or defend their properties. These developments have led to the loss of lives, destruction of property, and a broader threat to peace and economic stability in the area. To address this, Ollor signed an executive order halting all real estate transactions in Eleme until a thorough review of land ownership and documentation can be completed. Under this directive, all developers, estate companies, surveyors, and individuals planning to conduct land-related business in the area must seek approval from the local government before proceeding. Those suspected of participating in illegal land grabs have been ordered to leave the affected zones or risk facing legal consequences. Ollor emphasized that the contested land remains the ancestral property of the Eleme people, referencing legal precedents such as the 1957 Supreme Court ruling and the findings of the Justice Charles Granville Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Eleme–Ogu/Okrika communal conflict. To further address the issue, the local government has sought support from the Rivers State House of Assembly. They have submitted a request for a legislative investigation into allegations of land grabbing and associated violence through the representative of the Eleme constituency, Hon. Igwe Obe Aforji. This move underscores the seriousness of the situation and highlights the need for a coordinated approach involving both local authorities and higher levels of governance. Rivers State Police Command has confirmed its involvement in the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson for the command, Blessing Agabe, noted that the dispute between the two communities has been under judicial review for many years. She clarified that the recent violence did not result in any casualties, though a Hilux vehicle was set ablaze. Agabe mentioned that the Commissioner of Police has stepped in to manage the situation, and that investigations are currently underway to determine the full extent of the incidents and identify those responsible. As the situation continues to unfold, there is an expectation that the legal processes will provide clarity on the land disputes and help resolve the underlying issues contributing to the communal tensions. Meanwhile, local leaders remain vigilant, urging residents to maintain calm and cooperate with law enforcement efforts to ensure public safety and restore order in the affected regions.