CRC Congress Meeting Highlights Human Rights Concerns in Rivers State

Bori, Rivers State – March 11, 2025 – Members of the Community Rights Coalition (CRC) from Bori, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme units convened today at the Paul Naakuu Birabi Conference Hall to discuss pressing human rights issues affecting their communities. The meeting was graced by the presence of Barr. Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna, the National Coordinator of CRC, who was on an official visit to assess the activities and challenges faced by the human rights watchdog group.

In his opening remarks, Elder Basil Nkpordee expressed gratitude to all attendees for honouring the invitation. He emphasized the vital role CRC members play as defenders of human rights and urged them to remain vigilant against all forms of abuse and injustice within their communities.

Concerns Raised by CRC Units

During the deliberations, unit coordinators presented reports highlighting various human rights violations and abuses allegedly perpetrated by security agencies in their respective areas.

• Gokana Unit: Diba Emmanuel, the CRC Gokana Unit Coordinator, raised concerns over the persistent extortion of motorcyclists (Okada riders) by officers of the Nigeria Police Force at Kpor Division. He called for an urgent dialogue meeting with the Kpor Police Division to address these alleged oppressive actions and ensure accountability.
• Tai Unit: Comrade Barnabas Dimkpa, the Tai Unit Coordinator, reported the unauthorized roadblocks at Saakpewan Junction, where officers from the Tai Police Division, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Tai Community Police were allegedly extorting money from motorists. He described the situation as a blatant exploitation of road users and called for immediate intervention.
• Khana LGA: Pretty Lekia provided an update on the frequent stop-and-search operations along Kaa Road, where both men and women were allegedly being searched indiscriminately by the Nigeria Police Force. Additionally, she highlighted the extortion of money from commuters at Kaani Bridge, describing it as a growing concern among residents.

CRC National Coordinator Promises Swift Action

Responding to the complaints, Barr. Paul Ogbonna assured members that all reported issues would be thoroughly investigated. He announced that formal letters of complaint would be drafted and forwarded to the concerned Police Divisions, and a protest letter would be sent to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Tai LGA to demand accountability and an end to extortion practices.

He commended the commitment of CRC members in the region and encouraged them to continue their advocacy for justice, fairness, and transparency in law enforcement practices.

Call to Action

In his closing remarks, Elder Basil Nkpordee urged all CRC members to remain proactive in reporting human rights violations. He encouraged them to document incidents and submit reports via voice notes on the zonal WhatsApp platform to ensure swift action and collective intervention.

The CRC Congress reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of citizens and vowed to intensify its advocacy efforts across Rivers State.