As a committed human rights activist who stands firmly against any form of human rights violations or abuses of power by individuals or agencies, including the police, DSS, or other government bodies, I have come across several petitions targeting CSP Ifeanyi Iburu, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Okwuzu, Anambra State. Upon conducting my own investigation and engaging directly with CSP Ifeanyi Iburu, it became clear to me that many of the individuals behind these petitions are, in fact, those contributing to the worsening insecurity in Anambra State.
It is no secret to many residents of Anambra that a particular group of land grabbers has been operating with dangerous impunity. Their tactics are ruthless—seizing land, intimidating property owners, and even resorting to murder to silence those who attempt to challenge their illegal activities. Recent cases in Awka and Oba, where innocent individuals were lured into the bush under false pretenses and narrowly escaped death While the one at Oba was unable to survive thanks to local hunters, are just a few examples of their criminal operations.
CSP Ifeanyi Iburu, a dedicated public servant under the Nigerian Police Service Commission, has made it clear that he will not stand by and allow these criminals to continue their reign of terror. I encouraged him to remain steadfast in his duties, reminding him that his mandate is to protect the lives and properties of citizens, even as these land grabbers persist in their petitions and smear campaigns.
Our investigation team, which prioritizes the protection of citizens’ rights, has uncovered further evidence that the issue of land grabbers has been a long-standing concern. Even the former Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, retired CP Adoye Aderemi, took significant action against these criminal groups led by notorious figures such as Ozo Jeff. In fact, Ozo Jeff and his accomplices, including a dangerous individual known as Nwokoye—a well-known kidnapper and murderer—have been terrorizing Anambra State for years. These land grabbers have even resorted to renting women to protest naked against law enforcement officers like the current DCP of SCID Awka, who was investigating their illegal activities.
This criminal network, armed with AK-47s and other dangerous weapons, is responsible for many of the violent crimes in Awka, often disguising their murders as the work of unknown gunmen. Their victims are often caretakers or property owners, particularly those living abroad, who resist their illegal attempts to seize their land.
It is imperative that the government of Anambra State, as well as the Nigerian government, take urgent action against these land grabbers. Any authority, whether the Presidency, the Police Service Commission, or other relevant bodies, that receives petitions against CSP Ifeanyi Iburu must be aware of the ongoing situation in Anambra State and the valiant efforts of CSP Iburu to put an end to these criminal activities.
The good people of Anambra State have spoken—this issue of land grabbing and the violence associated with it must be brought to an end. CSP Ifeanyi Iburu’s work in defending the rights and properties of citizens should be commended, not hindered by baseless petitions from those seeking to destabilize the state for their own selfish gain. The time for action is now, before more innocent lives are lost to these ruthless criminals.
