“We are not afraid. A day of reckoning is coming.” – Council Chairman Ihunwo Accuses Wike of Using Police to Close Market, Harass Residents

In a strong accusation on Monday, the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chijioke Ihunwo, claimed that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, has used police forces to shut down a local market and harass its residents. Ihunwo alleged that Wike deployed the Commander of Police Anti-Cultism in the state, CSP Mohammed, and the Commander of C41, CSP Masalachi, to prevent the Oginigba community from accessing their market.

According to Ihunwo, armed policemen took control of Oginigba Market, which was officially opened by the local government. He stated that he immediately contacted both the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Operations and the Commissioner of Police to report the incident. Despite his efforts, Ihunwo expressed frustration over the police response, describing it as an act of political manipulation. “It is quite unfortunate that the Nigeria Police Force has made itself available to be used by politicians who, in disguise, do not want peace in Rivers State,” Ihunwo said.

He added that he had received information indicating that Wike had personally ordered the closure of the market. Ihunwo reassured the local residents to remain calm, vowing to take immediate action to resolve the situation. He also urged the police commissioner not to succumb to political pressure from those seeking to destabilize the region. “We are going to follow it up legitimately and ensure that the police will leave that particular premises,” Ihunwo stated.

Addressing concerns about the land ownership, Ihunwo clarified that the land in question was ancestral property belonging to the Oginigba people, and that no compensation had been received from Wike or his associates for it. He accused Wike of attempting to seize the land for personal gain, claiming that the police actions were part of an effort to create a crisis and take control of the property.

Ihunwo emphasized that the local government had officially opened the market for the community, and he vowed to pursue legal channels to restore peace. He called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and stop the alleged misuse of police forces, warning that the current actions could have long-term negative consequences for the state. “They are just trying to cause a crisis in our state,” Ihunwo concluded.

In a final statement, Ihunwo lamented the current state of Nigerian democracy, criticizing those involved in the market’s disruption. He expressed confidence that the truth would eventually come to light and that justice would prevail. “We are not afraid. A day of reckoning is coming,” he said.