Civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and businessman Fred Ajudua over allegations of land grabbing in Delta State, particularly in the Ibuzor community.
The leaderships of the Arewa Renaissance Group, Oodua Integrity Group, and Global Information Team submitted a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), urging them to take swift action against the two men. The CSOs allege that their activities have caused widespread fear among residents of the Ibuzor area.
The petition, delivered at a press conference in Abuja, follows a report by Montage Africa News, which sent a team to Ibuzor to investigate the land grabbing claims. According to the CSOs, Fred Ajudua and Senator Nwaoboshi have been using thugs to forcibly take control of land, with reports of intimidation, violence, and even deaths linked to their actions. Local residents have accused Ajudua of sending thugs to forcibly collect powers of attorney from property owners, often under duress.
“We have received reports of threats, violence, and even deaths linked to their actions, and yet, the police have failed to take appropriate action,” said Hajia Umma Nana Uba, spokesperson for the CSOs. “This situation is creating a climate of fear in Ibuzor, and it is unacceptable.”
The CSOs further allege that Ajudua and Nwaoboshi have used their influence to corrupt local law enforcement, with new police officers allegedly receiving bribes in the form of brand-new SUVs upon posting to the area.
In addition to the land grabbing claims, the CSOs accuse Ajudua of luring investors to Ibuzor by falsely claiming ownership of land for estate development. One recent incident saw Ajudua allegedly threatening Chief Leonard Okoli over a land dispute, with his thugs and police officers reportedly involved in intimidating Okoli and his associates.
The CSOs have called on the authorities to urgently intervene, emphasizing that the actions of these individuals must not go unchecked. “No individual, no matter how powerful, should be allowed to terrorize the people or obstruct their rights to land and property,” Uba stated.
The petition comes amid growing concerns over the role of powerful individuals in undermining the rule of law and contributing to lawlessness in some parts of Nigeria. The CSOs have urged the police and DSS to swiftly address the issue to restore confidence in the nation’s security agencies.
