Some indigenes of Ibaa in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers, have called on the Inspector-General of police to investigate the ongoing crisis in the community.
The indigenes, under the aegis of Concerned Ibaa Indigenes made the call at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
A traditional ruler in the community, Chief Kingsley Nyenke, who spoke on behalf of the group, said such investigation would avail the police first-hand information on the crisis.
It will be recalled that Ibaa, an Ikwerre speaking community, was plunged into crisis following the tussle for the throne of the community’s paramount ruler, Nyenwe Ali Uvuahu.
The crisis, which started in 2008 after the death of the paramount ruler, Chief James Ohaka, had polarized the community, leading to the death of several persons.
Nyenke, who blamed a contender in the chieftaincy dispute for the level of destruction and deaths, said only honest and sincere police investigation could unravel the truth.
“As I address you, many persons cannot go home; many are being harassed and unduly arrested by the police.
“We want Inspector-General of Police to set up a commission to investigate the crisis and the crimes committed; we need a sincere and open investigation”, he said.
Chief Princewill Nwakanma, Eze Omehe-Ali of Ibaa, alleged that some members of the police force had compromised, saying, “what we see is that justice is being perverted.
“We need stakeholders to sit with the police in an unbiased atmosphere so that we can unearth the truth in the matter.
“Currently, some persons from the community have established an unholy alliance with the some members of the police, we need the high authorities to be aware”, he said.
Nwakanma further called on the Rivers Government to show concern in the ongoing crisis to save the community from further destruction.
