Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, has warned individuals and groups against using violence, intimidation or force to take possession of disputed land, saying no claim to property ownership justifies the disruption of public peace or endangers lives.
The warning follows reports of land disputes allegedly escalating into confrontations, particularly around the Amachai axis of Okpanam, Asaba, and other parts of Delta State.
CP Samuel E. Erale urged individuals, communities and groups involved in land disputes to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands, stressing that disputes over ownership, possession, boundaries or other interests in land should be resolved through a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Commissioner cautioned against forceful occupation of property, encroachment, destruction of property, intimidation of lawful occupants and the use of thugs to enforce alleged claims of ownership.
He also warned that persons who resort to criminal acts, including forcible entry, threats to life, assault, malicious damage and intimidation under the guise of pursuing land claims would face appropriate action by the police.
The Command, however, clarified that the police would not determine ownership or title in purely civil land disputes.
According to the Commissioner, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers across the state have been directed to respond promptly whenever land disputes involve criminality or pose a threat to public peace, with anyone found culpable to be dealt with in accordance with the law.
CP Samuel E. Erale further appealed to landowners, developers, community and traditional leaders, youths and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and embrace lawful channels for resolving property disputes.
He stressed that no parcel of land was worth the loss of human life, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and preventing individuals or groups from using land disputes as a pretext to disturb the peace in Delta State.
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