The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of using police to destabilize markets in the state.
Chijioke Ihunwo alleged that Wike allegedly used the Anti-Cult Police Unit to attack market women and other traders at Oginigba market.
In a statement on Monday on his X handle, he accused Wike of planning to take over the market land from the people.
“I strongly criticized the aggressive commando approach employed by certain members of the anti-cultism unit and the C4i division of the Nigerian Police Force during their incursion into the Oginigba market on a fateful Monday morning.
“In a rather uncivilized manner, the police officers under the leadership of CSP Mohammed from the anti-cultism unit and CSP Masalachi from C4i forcefully drove away traders from the market, instilling fear and chaos among the innocent civilians.
‘Regarding this unwarranted attack on the traders, the initial findings available to me indicate that the actions of the police were instigated by the directives of the FCT minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
“I promptly informed the commissioner of police about this invasion, emphasizing that the ulterior motive of the FCT minister is to unlawfully seize control of the land in question. I made it clear that I will not engage in any public spectacle with the former governor of Rivers State but will instead rely on the legal system to uphold justice.
“Furthermore, I clarified that the FCT minister did not acquire the land either during his tenure as a minister or when he held office as the governor of Rivers State,” Ihunwo said.
The Obio/Akpor Council Chair urged the general public and the affected traders to remain composed and trust in the government to address the violation appropriately.
“It is widely known that CSP Mohammed, CSP Masalachi, and CSP London have been closely associated with carrying out the questionable orders of the FCT minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, particularly during his tenure as the governor of Rivers State.
“This history of collaboration raises concerns about the true intentions behind the recent aggressive actions taken by the police officers under their command,” he further claimed.