Delta police debunks accusation of bias by warring communities

Delta State Police Command has debunked reports of accusations of bias levelled against the Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim, in the lingering inter-communal crisis between Ogbe-Ijoh and Ovwian/Aladja communities over the arrest of some people fingered in the crisis.

According to a newspaper report on page 41 of the Nation Newspaper of Tuesday, January 10, 2017 captioned “Delta Communities accuse Police Chief of bias”, the Command stated that its actions so far in respect of the case were informed by peace, safety and security considerations in line with Delta State Security Council’s decision to deal decisively with anyone or group fuelling the crisis between the warring communities.

"Those behind the malicious accusation against the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Zanna M. Ibrahim are only making a futile attempt to turn the truth upside down. It would be recalled that right from the onset of the crisis, all hands have been on deck, both from the state government, the police and other security agencies and concerned indigenes of the state aimed at finding a lasting, amicable, peaceful resolution of the crisis," the Police Command authorities stated.

The Police further stated that rather than sheathe their swords some persons within the communities, apparently benefiting from the lingering crisis, are hell-bent on fomenting trouble and unleashing unpardonable atrocities against fellow man. 

According to the Police statement, "the CP, as the chief law enforcer in the state directed detectives to identify and arrest the masterminds of the crisis from both communities so as to achieve the peace and prevent the hostilities from escalating into a full blown tribal war.”

Those arrested were Onatomre Wisdom ‘m’ 30yrs, Pastor Kingsley Uwavwahor, Harrison Beta all of Ovwian Aladja; Ofoleyon Henry 50yrs, Ogugu Moses 36yrs, Alex Akemujubo and Austin Deinfegba of Isaba; and Aken E. Edwin 38yrs and Godwin Enighan of Ogbe-Ijoh.

"From the above record of arrest so far made, one wonders how anyone can in good conscience also accuse the Commissioner of Police of bias or favouritism", the Command noted, while appealing on the communities leaders of thought from the warring communities to channel their energy towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis rather than resorting to blackmail.

Meanwhile, the arrested suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Court I, Asaba, while urging the youths from the affected communities to embrace peace for the progress of their respective communities.