Fred Itua, Abuja
A traditional ruler in Enugu State, Igwe Mike Nnukwu and leaders of Amechi Awkunanaw and Obeagu communities of Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, over continued harassment and intimidation of the community by the Special Tactical Squad (STS) despite directive from Inspector General’s Office to discontinue such.
In a letter dated 10th of August and signed by the legal representative to the leaders, Obinna Ugwu, the leaders said from all indications, it was clear that a real estate developer Private Estate International West Africa (PEIWA) was using STS to forcefully divest their ancestral land.
The legal practitioner said the refusal is a demonstration of an act of insubordination and disrespect to the IGP’s earlier directive on the matter.
He said the Squad has continued to hunt and intimidate the individual members of the community, Ozor Joseph Nnaji, Igwe Nnukwu through one Inspector Celestine Nyigba.
Part of the petition read: “It is the refusal by the Special Tactical Squad (STS) to hand over our clients’ case file to the Legal Section even after a signal has been sent to the Special Tactical Squad (STS) to that effect that our clients deemed it very expedient and pertinent to forward this complaint to your office praying that you prevail on the Special Tactical Squad (STS) to desist from further harassment and intimidation of the individual members of our clients and also to abide by your instruction as contained in your letter hereabove referred.
“Convinced that our clients’ request will attract a favourable consideration from your office, we humbly wish to express our profound gratitude in anticipation of your much desired intervention.”
Ozor Joseph Nnaji, a community leader in Obeagu, when contacted, decried the spate of police harassment and intimidation citing an estate developer PEIWA as being behind their travail.
He also said that Police had visited the community earlier to discover that it was a mere land matter and therefore wondered where the harassment is emanating from. He wondered what had transpired to warrant the desperation from Inspector Celestine. Perhaps he works for a different Nigeria Police Force.
Reacting, Inspector Nyigba, said the claims were untrue. He wondered why they were unwilling to honour a police invitation extended to them.
“I’m doing my job as a police officer. We have respectfully invited them. They should honour the invitation and respond to the issues raised. Why are they making these accusations?” He asked.