By Stephen Simon
Amanyanabo of the Source, Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, has rejected allegations by the Udekama Council of Chiefs accusing his private security company, Royal Fouche Services Limited, of operating as an “army of occupation” and engaging in land grabbing.
Dokubo-Asari, who spoke with journalists following the allegations, described them as “sad, vexatious and provocative,” saying they distorted a longstanding land dispute between neighbouring communities in Rivers State.
He said the dispute over the land predated his birth, stressing that he was not a party to the court cases from which the allegations allegedly arose and had never claimed ownership of the disputed land.
Dokubo-Asari said the controversy centred on a development plan implemented by Obuama community between 2020 and 2025, under which portions of community land were allocated to members for development along the road linking Tema, Okpo, Obuama, Degema and Abonema.
According to him, the development plans were challenged by residents of Usokun, who claimed ownership of the land and subsequently approached the court. He said Obuama refrained from developing the disputed areas despite the absence of an injunction restraining it, choosing instead to pursue a peaceful resolution through the courts.
Dokubo-Asari said allegations of genocide, terrorism and occupation should not be made casually, urging anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to present it to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
He also disputed the historical claims surrounding ownership of the area, giving an account of the settlement of the Udekama people and their relationship with the Kalabari Kingdom. He urged that the historical claims be examined alongside documentary and judicial records to prevent the dispute from escalating into ethnic confrontation.
Dokubo-Asari said his overriding concern remained peace among neighbouring communities, adding that the people of Obuama had chosen “peace and the courts over confrontation.” He welcomed the establishment of a judicial panel of inquiry by the Rivers State Government to investigate the allegations of land grabbing and determine the issues based on evidence and the law.
