The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into a renewed communal clash between the Eleme and Okrika communities in Rivers State, following fresh violence linked to a long-running land dispute.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, reportedly led to the burning of a Hilux vehicle and destruction of several other properties, heightening tension in the affected communities. Residents also claimed that two persons were missing after the clash, prompting local search efforts and reports to the police.
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area said he had signed an executive order suspending all real estate activities in Eleme pending a comprehensive review of land ownership and documentation. He also disclosed that the council had petitioned the Rivers State House of Assembly to investigate alleged land grabbing and the violence associated with it.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko Agabe, said the dispute had been in court for years. She stated that no deaths were recorded, adding that only a Hilux vehicle was burnt during the latest clash. She also confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had intervened and that investigations were ongoing.
Police urged residents of both communities to remain calm and allow lawful processes to resolve the longstanding dispute while security agencies work to prevent a further breakdown of law and order
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