The leaders of Ezinano Community of Awka, Anambra State capital have petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) over the activities of Mr. Iburu Ifeanyi a Superintendent of Police (SP) in charge of Police Rapid Respond Squad, Awkuzu.

The community In the petition signed by 10 of their leaders accused Iburu Ifeanyi who is in charge of a litany of unlawful activities, among which are: unlawful use of firearms, harassment, threat to life, intimidation, and intermeddling with land matters.

The petitioners urged the Police Service Commission to investigate and take disciplinary action against Mr. Iburu.

The petition was signed by ?z? Ezekwesili ?, ?z? Dennis Okoli, Chidozie Oforah, and Okafor Charles N. Others are: Kenneth Igboeze, Chief Alfred Okoli, Monwuba Ejiofor, ?z? Obi Ochije, Okafor Chidozie S., and Obu Nnonyelu, as themselves and representing the other members of Ezinano community.

According to the petition, the Ezinano Community and Umuzuocha Village have been embroiled in a land dispute, with the matter currently before the court in Suit No. A/523/2017 in Chief I.G. Nwana & 6 Ors. V. Chief ESV George Okwudili & 3 Ors. And Motion on Notice No. A/308M/2020 for interlocutory injunction.

The petitioners alleged that Iburu Ifeanyi has been aiding and abetting the Umuzuocha people in their destruction of the Ezinano Community’s economic crops, fruits, and trees, despite the pending court case.

The petitioners claim that “on September 4, 2024, Supol Iburu Ifeanyi and his team stormed the disputed land, shooting sporadically in the air and threatening to shoot members of the Ezinano Community”.

They also allege that Iburu assaulted the Youth Chairman, Tochukwu Nwokoye, arrested him, and took him to their station at Awkuzu.

They accuse Supol Iburu Ifeanyi of providing security to the respondents in the suit, thereby aiding them in destroying their structures, and chasing away their women with bullets fired from AK 47 guns.

They argued that Iburu’s actions are a clear violation of the law and an abuse of his power.

The petitioners urge the Police Service Commission to call Supol Iburu to order, ensure he stops acting ultra vires his powers; caution him over intermeddling with land matters already before the court; investigate the allegations; and take disciplinary action against Iburu.

It will be recalled that human rights activists have described the Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at Awkuzu as a reincarnation of the dreaded SARS, accused of human parts trafficking and other offenses.

The petitioners said they are aware that the Police Service Commission, PSC, has restricted officers in criminal investigations and barred them from delving into civil matters, especially Land, rent and marital disputes.

PSC Chairman, Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Hasimu Argungu(rtd), issued this warning, stating that the police should allow the civil courts to handle these duties and avoid usurpation.

According to them the spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani also quoted the Chairman as saying: “Serving police officers who are found involved in civil matters such as land, rent and marital disputes will henceforth be sanctioned and their promotions suspended.”

Argungu, who noted that the failure of the police force would inevitably reflect on the Commission, said the PSC will no longer tolerate serious abuse of office by serving officers. (Daily Independent)