Otulu Ogwashi-Uku Community Alleges Invasion Orchestrated By Police Officers

The Otulu Ogwashi-Uku community, located in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has raised alarm over an alleged invasion by hoodlums, aided by police officers. The community has called on the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident, which reportedly involved individuals currently on trial for serious offenses, including armed robbery and murder, at the Delta State High Court.

Elder Chukwudi Anozie, a long-time resident of the community, revealed in an interview that the raid was led by ASP Dan Musa, a police officer from Abuja. According to Elder Anozie, ASP Musa, accompanied by a group of hoodlums, forcibly entered the community to arrest the community’s gazetted traditional chief. He claimed the operation was based on a petition filed by one Francis Oduwanor, who has been declared wanted by the Inspector General of Police for falsely claiming to be a traditional ruler, as well as for other criminal activities, including robbery and murder.

The community elders expressed their shock and concern that a fugitive like Oduwanor, who had been wanted by law enforcement, would reappear in the community escorted by police officers. The group of invaders reportedly included individuals recently released on bail from ongoing criminal trials. Elder Anozie further alleged that immediately after the invasion, the wife of the community chief was raped, and their home was looted shortly after the police departed. The hoodlums, according to Elder Anozie, boasted of having "strong connections" within the Abuja police command, claiming to have paid over ₦20 million for their protection.

Local police officers from the Ogwashi-Uku Police Station, who were dispatched to restore order in the community, arrested several of the assailants, many of whom were armed with dangerous weapons and found in possession of cannabis. Video footage, reviewed by reporters, captured these individuals attacking the officers before being taken into custody and transported to the State Police Headquarters along with their weapons. However, sources within the police force claim that orders were later given by ASP Dan Musa for the immediate release of all the suspects.

It is important to recall that the Delta State Security Council had previously requested that the state police declare Francis Oduwanor wanted for impersonation and inciting communal unrest. Oduwanor had reportedly fled the area rather than submit to police investigations. Despite his fugitive status, he resurfaced, accompanied by ASP Musa, continuing to assert himself as a traditional ruler. Elder Anozie presented letters from both the state and local government authorities, clarifying that Oduwanor was not recognized as a legitimate traditional ruler and that his actions were contributing to the ongoing conflict in the community.

Efforts to reach ASP Dan Musa for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone number was unreachable at the time of reporting. 

This development has left the Otulu Ogwashi-Uku community in distress, calling for urgent intervention to ensure justice and restore peace.