The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, says all individuals and groups allegedly involved in the controversial occupation of ancestral lands in Eleme have been ordered by the Police to immediately suspend activities and vacate the affected areas.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Eleme LGA Council, Mr. Chinwi Ate, the directive came after a tripartite meeting convened by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, which brought together stakeholders from Eleme and Okrika Local Government Areas.
According to the statement, the parley, addressed rising tensions over alleged illegal land encroachment, grabbing, and attacks on indigenous landowners, especially along the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road, the Railway Corridor, and the High Tension area of Aleto, as well as parts of Alode and Akpajo-Agbonchia.
The situation had earlier triggered protests that disrupted vehicular movement along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road, including Refinery Junction, Alode Junction, and GVC Junction.
According to the council chairman, both sides presented their positions during the meeting in what he described as a constructive engagement aimed at restoring peace and protecting lives and property.
“The meeting made it clear that this is not an ethnic conflict between Eleme and Okrika people, but a matter arising from the criminal activities of a few desperate and uninformed individuals,” Chief Ollor stated.
He added that all parties have been directed to formally submit their claims and relevant documents to the Office of the Commissioner of Police for thorough investigation.
Pending the outcome of the probe, the Police Commissioner has ordered the suspension of all activities in the disputed zones, with those occupying the lands without proper authority asked to vacate immediately to enable security agencies carry out their work without interference.
Chief Ollor assured the people of Eleme that his administration will closely monitor compliance with the directive. He also announced plans to set up a panel to receive formal petitions from aggrieved landowners whose properties have been encroached upon, with a view to assisting them in reclaiming their lands through lawful means.
The chairman commended the Rivers State Police Command for its swift intervention and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that justice would be served and peace restored.
He called on genuine landowners to stay vigilant and report any fresh cases of trespass or encroachment to his office.
