Edo Ijaw communities cry out over intimidation, torture, unlawful arrest, detention by security operatives, urge Gov Ikpebholo, army chief to intervene 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Concerned Ijaw Communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have drew the attention of the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Monday Ikpebholo, the Nigerian military authorities in the state and the general public to what they described as continued harassment, torture, intimidation, unlawful arrests and detention of residents of the Ijaw communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area by security operatives deployed to maintain peace in the area.

The communities narrated that following the recent clash between Ijaw palm tree farmers and Yoruba cocoa farmers in the area, military officers were deployed to restore peace and prevent further conflict in the area, stating that the security operatives stationed in the area have taken sides, acting in favour of the cocoa farmers while subjecting Ijaw communities to unwarranted harassment and torture.

According to a report by the affected communities while cocoa farmers are allowed to move freely and continue their business activities, members of Ijaw communities are being restricted, intimidated, tortured and unlawfully detained, citing that some military personnel posted to the area had family ties with the cocoa farmers, giving room for bias and abuse of power. “The cocoa farmers are reportedly boasting that they will use their military connections to drive the Ijaw people out of their ancestral lands — a threat that is gradually becoming a reality”, they added.

The aggrieved communities said that on the 27th February 2025, a young man from one of the Ijaw communities was arrested without just cause while transporting a woman from his community to her nearby farm, adding that despite the peaceful intervention of community elders, the military personnel insisted on detaining the young man and have since taken him to their military headquarters without providing any reason for his arrest.

The statement reads,

“We wish to draw the attention of the Nigerian military authorities, the Executive Governor of Edo State, and the general public to the ongoing harassment and intimidation of Ijaw communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area by security operatives deployed to maintain peace in the area.

“Following the recent clash between Ijaw palm tree farmers and Yoruba cocoa farmers in the area, military officers were deployed to restore peace and prevent further conflict. However, it has become evident that the security operatives stationed in the area have taken sides, acting in favor of the cocoa farmers while subjecting Ijaw communities to unwarranted harassment.

“Reports from the affected communities indicate that while cocoa farmers are allowed to move freely and continue their business activities, members of Ijaw communities are being restricted, intimidated, and unlawfully detained. There are strong allegations that some military personnel posted to the area have family ties with the cocoa farmers, giving room for bias and abuse of power. The cocoa farmers are reportedly boasting that they will use their military connections to drive the Ijaw people out of their ancestral lands — a threat that is gradually becoming a reality.

“On the 27th of February 2025, a young man from one of the Ijaw communities was arrested without just cause while transporting a woman from his community to her nearby farm. Despite the peaceful intervention of community elders, the military personnel insisted on detaining the young man and have since taken him to their military headquarters without providing any reason for his arrest”.

“We call on the Nigerian military authorities to urgently investigate this matter, withdraw any compromised officers, and ensure that the security operatives posted to the area carry out their duties with neutrality and fairness.

We also appeal to the Executive Governor of Edo State to use his good office to intervene, prevent further harassment of Ijaw communities, and set up an independent investigation into the ongoing intimidation.

Peace can only be sustained when security operatives act without bias and respect the rights of all citizens”, they added.