The House of Representatives committee on Public Petitions has ordered the Police to arrest 16 suspects from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State over allegations of land grabbing.
This was contained in a statement released on Thursday, signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Goodluck Nsirim
The suspects are Mr Colonel Ogwumerum Eke, Prince Mike Oyakhire also known as Edo 1, Lord C. Nwosu, Prince Chima Kelechi, Mr Samuel Chike, Mr Chima Providence Chike, Mr Chijioke Ben Ihunwo, Mr Stephen Nmecha also known as Okiriko, Mr Bolaji Oshobukola, Eze Bekwele Atam, Mr Nyeche Amaewhule, Mr Collins Chinda, Barr. Azubuike Ihemeje, Hon. Francis Aleta, Fabulous Amaewhule and Chief Innocent Amagbam in connection with the petition
The order followed a petition sent to the committee by the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon Gift Worlu, alleging threat to life, destruction of property and forceful occupation of lands by suspected land grabbers in the council area.
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Acting on the petition, the committee in a letter dated February 17, 2026, with reference number SS/10HR/CT-03/001 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed that an investigative hearing was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Hearing Room 429, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The hearing was conducted in accordance with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and in compliance with House Standing Order XX, Rule 5(b), guided by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice.
Arising from the investigative hearing, the Committee directed Inspector-General of Police to submit a detailed report on the progress of the investigation carried out on the matter.
The Committee further directed that all developments on the disputed lands at Ohia Egbelu Rumuosi (Victory Estate), Ali Egbelu Rumuaawhoechor (Ohia Egbelu Land) in Rumuekini, Iriebe Ikwerre-Ngwo Land and Rumuigima Land should stop pending further resolution of the matter.
It also ordered the deployment of adequate security personnel to the affected areas, including Ohia Egbelu Rumuosi (Victory Estate), Ali Egbelu Rumuawhoechor (Ohia Egbelu Land) in Rumuekini, Iriebe Ikwerre-Ngwo Land and Rumuigima Land, to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Furthermore, the Committee directed that the Nigeria Police Force should immediately release the detained persons in the matter. Those listed for release include Chinedu Onodim, Joel Wopara, Wopara Iyeke, Henry Godwin Orumere, Chidi Herbert, Wobe Kinikanwo, Bright Ezekiel, Ibuchi Choice Wali, Okechukwu Igwe, John Chukudi, Chi Ezekiel, Clement Bassey, John Amadi, Peter Job and Nathan Welekwa.
The letter was signed by Hon (Dr.) Matthew Nwogu, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions, who thanked the Inspector-General of Police for his continued support and urged prompt compliance with the Committee’s resolutions to prevent further escalation of tension in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
