26/05/2025
URGENT CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN ILAJE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
We are writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue affecting the residents of Ilaje Local Government Area, happening in the Abareke community. The Baale, chirman and Oloja of Abereke, in collaboration with the Police, are allegedly engaging in extortionate practices that are causing significant distress to our people.
Fishermen in our riverine area are being subjected to physical abuse, embarrassment, beating, and extortion. Each boat is carry ₦100,000, with two boats amounting to ₦200,000, and additional fees for oil mix making it ₦230,000, just to venture out to sea with the hope of catching crayfish to sell and make money for their families. Unfortunately, the catch often doesn't even amount to ₦50,000 sometimes.
Despite this, this Police, in collaboration with Abareke authorities, are beating our people, forcing them to pay taxes, collecting crayfish, fish, and petroleum products from them. This is not only uncalled for but also deeply saddening.
Those police is making # 2 million per day without doing anything why our people is crying from beating this huge embarrassments
A recent incident has further exacerbated the situation. A fisherman was asked to give crayfish to the police, and when he said he didn't have enough, he was shot at. The bullet hit the engine of his boat, destroying it. The fisherman was then beaten until he lost consciousness and has been hospitalized.
The consequences of these actions are far-reaching. Many of our people are now in fear, struggling to make ends meet due to the harassment and extortion they face at sea. The little catch they manage to make is often share by Abereke police in collaboration with Abereke authorities, leaving them with little to show for their hard work.
This unfortunate situation has been recurring and is highly unacceptable. The actions of those Police, in particular, have been egregious, involving beatings, harassment, theft, and even molestation of our fathers, brothers, and sisters. Innocent people are being accosted without reason, beaten, and forced to pay bribes. Boats are being stopped, and money is being extorted from fishermen under the guise of "government" demands.
We urge the government to intervene in this matter urgently to prevent further escalation. If left unchecked, or unattended to, this situation may lead to loss of life, destruction of property, and further exacerbate the suffering of our people.
Furthermore, we call on all Ilaje indigenes to join forces to address this embarrassment and harassment in our land. It is imperative that we stand together to protect our rights and ensure that our people are treated with dignity and respect.
WE IMPLORE THE GOVERNMENT TO:
1. Investigate the allegations of extortion and abuse of power by the Baale, Olojaw, and the Police.
2. Take immediate action to protect the rights and safety of our fishermen and residents.
3. Ensure that those responsible for these abuses are held accountable.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We hope for a swift resolution to this crisis.
Sincerely,
ILAJE seaside
Update
I will continue bring this to your notice