By Jude Atupulazi
The Ezinano Community of Awka, Anambra State, has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) to investigate and discipline a police officer, Superintendent of Police, Ifeanyi Iburu, whom they have accused of committing a litany of unlawful activities against them over land issues.
In a comprehensive petition to the PSC, the leaders of Ezinano Community accused Supol Iburu, Officer in Charge of Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, of unlawful use of firearms, harassment, threat to life, intimidation, and intermeddling with land matters, among other unlawful acts.
The petitioners urged the PSC to investigate and take disciplinary action against Supol Iburu.
The petition was signed by Ọzọ Ezekwesili Ọ.; Ọzọ Dennis Okoli; Chidozie Oforah; Okafor Charles N.; Kenneth Igboeze; Chief Alfred Okoli; Monwuba Ejiofor; Ọzọ Obi Ochije; Okafor Chidozie S.; and Obu Nnonyelu; as themselves and representing the other members of Ezinano Community, Awka.
The petition said the Ezinano Community and Umuzuocha Village had been embroiled in a land dispute, with the matter currently before the court in Suit No. A/523/2017: Chief I.G. Nwana & 6 Ors. V. Chief ESV George Okwudili & 3 Ors. and Motion on Notice No. A/308M/2020 for interlocutory injunction.
The petitioners alleged that Supol Iburu had been to aiding and abetting the Umuzuocha People in their destruction of the Ezinano Community’s economic crops, fruits, and trees, despite the pending court case.
The petitioners claimed that on September 4, 2024, Supol Iburu and his team stormed the disputed land, shooting sporadically in the air and threatening to shoot members of the Ezinano Community.
They also alleged that he assaulted the Youth Chairman, Tochukwu Nwokoye, arrested him, and took him to their station at Awkuzu.
The petitioners accused Supol Iburu of providing security to the respondents in the suit, destroying their structures, and chasing away their women with bullets allegedly fired from AK-47 guns.
They argued that his actions were a clear violation of the law and an abuse of his power.
The petitioners urged the Police Service Commission to call Supol Iburu to order, ensure he stopped acting ultra vires his powers; caution him over intermeddling with land matters already before the court; investigate the allegations; and take disciplinary action against him.
This development, the community said, highlighted concerns about police brutality, harassment, and intimidation in Anambra State and the need for law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law.
Recently, Anambra residents raised alarm over the resurgence of corruption and human rights abuses at the defunct Awkuzu Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Oyi Local Government Area, now known as Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu.
Victims had alleged extortion and harassment by police officers, with one claiming to have paid N300, 000 for bail, while another was asked to pay N500, 000 for the release of his impounded tricycle.
When contacted by the press, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), one Isaac, who is handling the tricycle case, denied allegations that he demanded N500, 000 from the victim to release the impounded tricycle. Instead, he explained that the tricycle was suspected to be a stolen item, and, as such, the investigation was ongoing and that the tricycle would not be released until the investigation was complete.
Human rights activists have described the Police Rapid Response Squad at Awkuzu as a reincarnation of the dreaded SARS, accused of human parts trafficking and other offences.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, acknowledged complaints of extortion and assured that efforts were being made to apprehend culpable officers. He maintained that bail remained free in the police.
The incidents have sparked renewed calls for reform and accountability within the Anambra State Police Command.
Meanwhile, the PSC has restricted officers in criminal instigations and barred them from delving into civil matters, especially land, rent and marital disputes.
PSC Chairman, Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Hasimu Argungu (rtd), issued this warning, stating that the police should allow the civil courts to handle those duties and avoid usurpation.
PSC Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted the Chairman as saying that serving police officers who were found involved in civil matters such as land, rent and marital disputes, would henceforth be sanctioned and their promotions suspended.
Argungu, who noted that the failure of the police would inevitably reflect on the Commission, said the PSC would no longer tolerate serious abuse of office by serving officers.
The PSC Chairman declared his commitment to running a transparent, open and corruption-free administration within the Commission.
