Concerned parties in the ongo­ing leadership crisis in Obitug­bo Community of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have accused some officers of the Nigerian Army and Police over their alleged involvement in the crisis.

In a pre-action legal notice dated Thursday, October 23 , 2025, community represen­tatives accused the security agencies of acting beyond their powers and aiding the unlawful persecution of certain indi­genes opposed to a controversial leadership change.

The plaintiffs, who are repre­sented by Chief Robinson Ariyo & Co., alleged that the military and the police were used by pow­erful individuals to “banish and prohibit” legitimate communi­ty members from accessing their ancestral homes.

They stated that the officers of the Nigerian Army and Po­lice collaborated with some lo­cal leaders to intimidate, arrest, and harass the plaintiffs for de­manding accountability in the community’s affairs.

The plaintiffs allege that these acts constitute clear breaches of their constitutional rights to freedom of movement, association, and expression.

According to the notice, the officers’ actions goes against multiple laws, including the Armed Forces Act, the Nigeria Police Act, and the principle of lis pendis, which prohibits in­terference with matters already before a court.

The document specifically accused Captain Monday Dau­da of the Nigerian Army Base in Koko and certain police offi­cers of acting “extra-judicially and unofficially” to enforce an illegal plan.

The plaintiffs argued that the Armed Forces and Police Service Commission are vicar­iously liable for the actions of their subordinates. They are also demanding injunctions mandating the respective agen­cies to investigate and sanction the officers involved.

They further contend that the Chairman of Warri North Local Government and sever­al traditional chiefs facilitated the alleged abuse by allegedly providing local support and ig­noring court orders.

The plaintiffs said the estab­lishment of new community bodies during ongoing court proceedings demonstrated contempt for the judiciary. They described the inauguration plans as “a calculated attempt to overreach the courts and sub­vert justice.”

The notice reveals that de­spite repeated appeals to the au­thorities for intervention, none of the defendants has shown any willingness to renounce their actions or comply with due process.

According to the plaintiffs, the continued disobedience of lawful court orders “has em­boldened those violating the rights of law-abiding citizens.”

Chief Robinson Ariyo, the solicitor handling the matter, said his clients’ primary aim is to seek redress and compel the authorities to restore the rule of law in Obitugbo.

He explained that the plain­tiffs are not only seeking protec­tion for their personal rights but also fighting to preserve justice and accountability for future generations of the community.

Chief Ariyo said that unless the defendants reverse their ac­tions, the plaintiffs will proceed to court to seek full enforcement of their Constitutional rights and restoration of the commu­nity’s dignity. (INDEPENDENT)