End The Excesses Of Inspector Chukwukadibia Okebata In Mmahu Community

Ralph Miliband was a key twentieth century political thinker. Ralph Miliband once said that the hottest place in hell will be reserved for those who sit on the fence in the face of great moral crisis. No one will want to go to the hottest place in hell, at least not me.

I know the importance of community policing. Community Policing is one of the best security tools to stamp out all shades of criminal practices. I will always tell the truth, not minding who gets offended.

The governor of Imo state Senator Hope Uzodinma in 2020 promised to set up Community Policing. I heard him say "we shall create a Neighborhood Security Watch code named ‘North East West’ (NEW) involving a coordinated network of Community Intelligence Gathering Programme in liaison with the NPF, DSS, NSCDC, NSO and some Private Security Companies. In tandem, we shall launch Operation “FOC,” (Flush Out Criminals) – a combined Security Operations targeted at Flashpoints and Centres of high criminal activities, including hide outs, jungles, uncompleted buildings, forest, shrines, lakes and creeks, etc. It shall be a “SAD” season for criminals in Imo State’

True to his words the Governor inaugurated a Community Policing outfit. The mandate of the inaugurated outfit is to assist the police and the local government authorities in fighting crimes by identifying security threats in the communities amongst others.

While we welcome all genuine efforts at tackling insecurity in the state, it is important to point out that some members of this Community Policing team in the state have gone ahead to operate beyond their mandate by acting above the law. The “Right to life, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom of Expression” etc., as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), has come under increased attacks by some members of this team.

In Mmahu-Egbema of Ohaji/Egbema LGA, residents waste away under the inhuman rule of a police officer, Inspector Chukwukadibia Okebata, who leads the community policing team that perennially torments them with unlawful arrests and detention.

There were violent cult clashes that escalated into a brutal contest for dominance, resulting in significant bloodshed in Mmahu. This crisis led the Imo state government in 2022 to deploy Inspector Chukwukadibia Okebata, to the community to proffer solutions . On arrival he became a scoundrel whose grip on power has resulted in series of illegal arrests, torture of innocent residents.

There is a Divisional Police Station and also an Area Command in Egbema. But instead of working with them, Okebata took over the only health centre in Mmahu and turned it into a detention facility and concentration camp. It is alleged that the Inspector and his team attack and arrest innocent and law-abiding residents of the area that he labeled with criminal charges.

The residents of the community have petitioned the police authorities in the community and at Owerri State command demanding for the transfer of Okebata but nothing has been done.Women of the community have severally stormed the streets to protest his alleged brutality of the people but nothing has been done. Protests have also been carried out at the National Assembly.

I am shocked at the level of abuse of citizens’ rights by Inspector Okebata. He is definitely a bad influence on other members of his team. That an Inspector and head of a community policing team is not answerable to both the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer at Egbema or any other police authority tells so much of the officer. He is definitely one of the officers in the police that constitute a bad example to other police officers and who gives the police a bad image. There is no doubt that such an officer does not deserve to spend one more day in Egbema.

I think the right thing is to transfer him out of the community. We will continue to condemn the harassment and intimidation of innocent Mmahu people.

The silence and inaction of the leadership of the APC in the state and the Imo State police command over the many complaints about Inspector Okebata in Mmahu is intolerable. The Civil Society Organizations also cannot continue to fold it arms while the State Government continues to suppress basic democratic rights.The leadership of APC in Ohaji-Egbema LGA cannot say they are unaware of the excesses of Inspector Okebata and his flagrant assault on democratic rights.

By their silence, the leadership of APC in Ohaji-Egbema is giving the impression that they endorse the actions of the Inspector. This nonchalant attitude is all the more dangerous especially because these flagrant attacks on democratic rights of the people of Mmahu could simply be a warm up exercise for a full-blown assault which may be directed against the APC leaders in Ohaji-Egbema itself . A stitch in time saves nine.

- Kenneth Uwadi, a Newspaper Columnist, is from Mmahu-Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema LGA , Imo State.

   Comments0