By IFESIOKWU GREG

Asagba Urges Delta Police Chief to Revive Asaba Security Committee, Warns Against Criminalising Land Disputes

THE Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, has urged the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, to revive the Asaba Community-Police Relations Committee to strengthen intelligence sharing, improve crime prevention and address emerging security challenges in the state capital.

The monarch made the appeal when Erale, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Asaba. During the meeting, both leaders discussed security concerns, police-community cooperation, land-related disputes and the need to sustain peace and public order across the capital city.

Azinge observed that the committee, originally established to facilitate regular engagement and the exchange of security information between the police and the community, had become inactive. Consequently, he said, the breakdown in its activities had created a gap that needed urgent attention.

He therefore called for its revitalisation to restore a structured channel through which residents, traditional institutions, community leaders and security agencies could share intelligence and jointly address threats.

According to the monarch, such cooperation has become even more important amid ongoing discussions about establishing state police. He stressed that community participation, local intelligence and regular engagement would remain critical to effective policing, regardless of the eventual structure adopted.

Asagba Commends Police Response to Koka Flyover Concerns

While urging the police to strengthen community engagement, Azinge commended Erale and his team for their intervention at Koka Junction and the adjoining flyover, where the presence of people described in the reports as miscreants and destitute persons had raised concerns about public order and safety.

The monarch clarified that the situation beneath the flyover was not primarily a cultism problem. Rather, he said, some destitute persons had taken up residence in the area, creating concerns that required appropriate attention.

Earlier, Erale disclosed that the command had cleared Koka Junction of miscreants and destitute persons as part of efforts to restore order. He also reported progress in the fight against cultism and drug-related offences.

Azinge welcomed the intervention but urged the command to sustain its efforts and address other developments that could undermine security in Asaba.

In particular, he drew attention to reports that people from different parts of the country were being transported in trailers and dropped off at locations such as Koka Junction, Cable Point and Mile 5. He asked the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the movement of these individuals and monitor the situation to prevent any potential threat to public safety.

The monarch added that local vigilante groups had been monitoring the situation, including in satellite communities. He called for better coordination between these groups, the police and traditional institutions to improve information gathering and ensure timely responses to security concerns.

However, the issue also raises the importance of distinguishing genuine security threats from the mere presence of vulnerable or displaced people. Any police response, he stressed, should focus on lawful conduct, verified intelligence and specific threats rather than assumptions about individuals based on their circumstances.

Land Disputes Should Not Automatically Become Criminal Cases

Land-related disagreements formed another major part of the discussions, with both the monarch and the Commissioner expressing concern about the growing volume of disputes and petitions reaching the police.

Azinge, a constitutional lawyer and Professor of Law, warned against the tendency to turn civil and commercial disagreements over land into criminal cases. He argued that disputes about ownership, possession and competing claims should ordinarily follow established legal procedures rather than become vehicles for allegations that may not be supported by evidence.

According to him, some parties allegedly introduce accusations such as illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder into land disputes, complicating matters that might otherwise be addressed through civil proceedings or appropriate community mechanisms.

The monarch urged Erale to examine petitions carefully and distinguish genuine criminal offences from disagreements that fall within civil jurisdiction. Where appropriate, he advised the police to refer matters suitable for traditional intervention to established community structures for peaceful resolution.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to examine cases involving the arrest and transfer of Asaba indigenes to Abuja over land disputes, which he alleged sometimes occurred without the knowledge or consent of the state police leadership.

Azinge maintained that stronger communication between the Delta State Police Command, community leaders and other relevant authorities could help prevent misunderstandings, reduce unnecessary escalation and ensure that complaints receive appropriate treatment.

Meanwhile, Erale acknowledged the challenge posed by the increasing number of land disputes and what he described as frivolous petitions. He explained that the police could not determine ownership of land, stressing that such questions were for the courts to resolve.

The Commissioner appealed to the monarch to continue intervening where necessary to help resolve disagreements peacefully. He noted that the volume of land-related complaints was distracting the command from its primary responsibility of preventing and combating crime.

Nevertheless, the distinction between civil and criminal matters requires careful examination in each case. Although land ownership is generally determined through appropriate civil proceedings, credible allegations of violence, threats, unlawful possession of firearms or other offences may warrant lawful police investigation. Community mediation should therefore complement, rather than replace, the formal justice system where criminal conduct is alleged.

Asagba Calls for Careful Review of Police Petitions

Beyond land disputes, Azinge urged the police to scrutinise petitions from residents before taking action. He said officers should establish the nature and merits of each complaint and determine whether it requires criminal investigation, civil litigation or community intervention.

Such an approach, he argued, would help reduce unnecessary confrontations, prevent the misuse of police processes and allow officers to devote more resources to genuine security concerns.

The monarch also reaffirmed the Asaba traditional institution’s readiness to work with the police and other security structures. He pledged the support of the throne and the wider community in crime prevention and control, emphasising that sustained cooperation remained essential to preserving peace and public confidence.

For his part, Erale commended Azinge for his efforts to maintain peace and order in Asaba. He acknowledged the importance of traditional institutions in resolving community tensions and supporting the work of security agencies.

The courtesy visit concluded with an exchange of gifts. The Asagba presented the Commissioner with the traditional white cloth known as Akwa Ocha, while Erale presented a plaque to the monarch.

Strengthening Trust Through Cooperation

The meeting highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach to security in Asaba, particularly as authorities confront concerns about public order, cultism, drug-related offences and disputes that sometimes escalate into wider confrontations.

Reviving the Community-Police Relations Committee could provide a regular platform for residents and security officials to discuss local concerns, share credible intelligence and develop joint responses. At the same time, clear procedures for reviewing petitions and handling land disputes could help reduce avoidable friction between communities and law enforcement.

Ultimately, effective security depends not only on police operations but also on public trust, lawful conduct and cooperation among institutions. By combining community engagement with professional policing and respect for due process, Asaba’s traditional institution and the Delta State Police Command could strengthen efforts to preserve peace and protect residents.