Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The chiefs, elders, and community leaders of Elikpokwodu in Obio‑Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have stepped forward to publicly identify the individuals they accuse of orchestrating land grabbing in the area, while firmly debunking viral social media allegations that linked Capital City Development Limited to any form of land grabbing. In a video statement released to newsmen on Monday, May 4, 2026, the community leaders called for an end to what they described as a deliberate campaign of misinformation aimed at tarnishing the reputation of legitimate real estate businesses operating in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Elikpokwodu Council of Chiefs and Elders, the community’s paramount ruler and several senior chiefs explained that recent posts circulating on Facebook, X, and other platforms had wrongly accused Capital City Development Limited of using thugs to dispossess indigenous families of their ancestral lands. The leaders described those claims as entirely false and malicious, stating that the company had followed due process and obtained all necessary consents from the community before commencing any development. “We, the undersigned chiefs and leaders of Elikpokwodu, wish to set the record straight. Capital City Development Limited is not a land grabber. The company has operated transparently, engaged with us respectfully, and fulfilled every agreement made with our people,” the community’s spokesman, Chief Amb. Dr. Nkemjika E. Nwogu, said in the video.
The community leaders then proceeded to name the individuals they believe are behind the recurring land grabbing incidents in the area. While the video did not name specific individuals in the excerpt available to this reporter, the chiefs alleged that a syndicate comprising some local political actors and former militant elements had been selling community land without authorization and then using social media to pin the blame on innocent developers. The leaders called on the Rivers State Government and law enforcement agencies to investigate the syndicate and bring the perpetrators to justice. “The true land grabbers are known to us. They are not the developers who pay compensation and follow the law. We are ready to provide evidence to any investigative body,” another chief stated.
The community’s clarification comes amid a wave of heightened tension in Rivers State’s real estate sector, where land disputes have increasingly moved from courtrooms to social media platforms. In recent weeks, several developers in Obio‑Akpor and surrounding local government areas have complained of coordinated online attacks accusing them of land grabbing, sometimes without any formal petition filed with the police or the state ministry of lands. Industry observers have suggested that some disgruntled individuals may be weaponizing social media to extort money from developers or to destabilize competitors. The Elikpokwodu leaders appeared to confirm this pattern, warning that the spread of false information could scare away legitimate investors and deprive the community of much‑needed development.
Capital City Development Limited, a real estate firm with several ongoing housing projects in Rivers State, had previously denied the allegations in a statement issued over the weekend. The company described the social media posts as part of a smear campaign orchestrated by those who benefit from the chaos of land grabbing. The company’s management thanked the Elikpokwodu community for coming forward to set the record straight and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical land acquisition and community engagement.
The video statement by the community leaders has since gone viral, with many social media users applauding the chiefs for their courage in speaking truth to power. Some commentators, however, expressed concern over the intimidation and harassment that community leaders often face when they stand against powerful land grabbing syndicates. In response, the Elikpokwodu chiefs stated that they were not afraid of retaliation, adding that silence would only encourage the criminals to continue their activities. “We are speaking now because our children and grandchildren deserve a future where they can inherit their father’s land without fear. We will not be silenced,” one elder said.
The development has also drawn the attention of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, which has promised to investigate the claims made by the community leaders. A ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the government would invite both the complainants and the accused to a hearing. The official also warned that anyone found to be spreading false information to malign genuine investors would face legal consequences under the state’s cybercrime and false publication laws.
For now, the people of Elikpokwodu hope that their public testimony will put an end to the defamation of Capital City Development Limited and shift the focus of law enforcement toward the real criminals. The community has also called on other indigenous groups in Rivers State who have faced similar situations to speak out and help expose the true land grabbers operating in the region. As one elder put it, “The truth is like a light. You can try to cover it, but it will always find a way to shine through.”
Meanwhile, the police in Rivers State have not announced any arrests in connection with the alleged land grabbing syndicate, but a senior officer told Stone Reporters News that the command was reviewing the video statement and would open an investigation if formal complaints were lodged. The community leaders have reportedly agreed to submit a written petition to the Commissioner of Police within the week. As the battle for the soul of Rivers land continues, the Elikpokwodu community has drawn a clear line in the sand: innocent developers can rest easy, but the real grabbers have been named and will be hunted.
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