The Young Nigerian Rights Organisation (YNRO) has accused the Delta State Police Command of alleged economic sabotage, abuse of office, and human rights violations following the reported confiscation and sale of motorcycles belonging to Hausa/Fulani residents in the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, October 27, 2025, and signed by its President, Comrade Victor Ojei (Wong Box), the group alleged that the police, under the supervision of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, unlawfully impounded and sold motorcycles owned by Northerners living in Delta.
According to YNRO, the action amounted to what it described as “state-backed plunder” and a “shameful betrayal of the Nigerian Constitution.”
“This was not law enforcement. It was state-backed plunder, an assault on the most vulnerable, and a shameful betrayal of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution as amended, which guarantees every citizen the right to own property,” the statement read in part.
The group claimed that the motorcycles were seized under the guise of enforcing the state government’s 2024 ban on motorcycle transport, but were later sold without due process or proper authorisation.
“When the Delta State Government announced a ban on the use of motorcycles for transportation, no directive was issued authorising the sale, auction, or conversion of those impounded motorcycles into private money-making ventures,” Ojei said.
The organisation faulted the claim by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, who reportedly told Punch Newspaper on October 16, 2025, that due process was followed in the disposal of the impounded motorcycles.
Challenging that assertion, YNRO posed a series of questions to the police, demanding transparency and accountability in the process.
“Where is the interim and final forfeiture order? When and where were these motorcycles advertised for public auction? Which radio stations aired the jingles announcing the auction? Where is the public record of the auction process allegedly conducted through DSP Winnie of the Operations Department?” the group queried.
Comrade Ojei disclosed that YNRO would petition the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly to summon the Delta State Police Command leadership to publicly account for all confiscated and sold motorcycles.
“We will petition the National Assembly to ensure that those responsible are held to account. Transparency and accountability should not be difficult if due process was truly followed,” Ojei said.
He further called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and heads of relevant agencies — including the Police Service Commission, ICPC, and National Security Adviser — to launch a full-scale investigation into what he described as “a national moral crisis.”
“This is no longer a Delta State issue; it is a national moral crisis. The Northerners (Hausa/Fulani) should not let this slide. We will also seek a court order of mandamus should authorities attempt to bury this crime under tribal bias or bureaucratic silence,” Ojei warned.
The activist urged citizens of Delta State to demand accountability from their police leadership, noting that the alleged illegal confiscation and sale of private property without court approval “sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.”
“Dear Deltans, are you aware that your Police Command, sworn to protect you, confiscated and sold off properties that did not belong to them — without court approval, without public notice, and without conscience?” he asked.
“Nigeria cannot move forward if impunity remains our police culture. Enough is enough,” Ojei concluded.
As of press time, efforts to reach the Delta State Police Command for official comment were unsuccessful. Calls and messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, were not immediately returned.
