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Itode Akari
PORT HARCOURT – A landlord, identified as Chizoba Innocent, has been arrested by operatives of the Rumupakani (Ada George) Police Division over allegations of unlawful eviction and destruction of a tenant’s property at Isaiah Street, Agip, Mile 4, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended at about 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, while removing a tenant’s belongings from an apartment after forcing open the building’s iron security protector.
Sources told Daily Independent that the dispute began in January 2026 when Chizoba informed tenants Samuel Ugiri and Nathaniel Onuegbu that he had assumed ownership of the property following the sharing of his late father’s estate.
The tenants explained that the rent they had paid to the previous landlord, Chizoba’s elder brother, was still running until December 2026 and that they intended to vacate the premises at the expiration of their tenancy.
However, the new landlord insisted that they leave immediately.
One of the tenants told our correspondent that Mr Chizoba had repeatedly demanded that he vacate the apartment despite being aware that his tenancy had not expired.
Ugiri said, “He came to me in January and said he was now the owner of the house and wanted to know when I would move out. I told him I had already paid my rent and that it would expire in December 2026.
“He was present during the family meeting where the issue was discussed and knew that my rent was still running. Despite that, he continued to insist that I should leave the property.”
Ugiri further stated that the landlord forcefully gained access to his apartment on June 1, 2026, by breaking open the iron security protector and entering the premises without authorization.
Following the development, the matter was reported to the police and when the landlord began making good his threats of ejecting the tenant’s belongings from the property, operatives of the Rumupakni Division arrived at the scene and intervened, arresting the landlord.
Recounting the incident, Ugiri stated that the landlord unlawfully entered his apartment and caused serious damage to his properties.
Ugiri further alleged that on Thursday morning, while taking his son to school, he saw the suspect force open the security protector of his neighbour, Nathaniel Onuegbu’s apartment.
“He entered my apartment while my wife was unclothed and subjected me to humiliation.
“After opening the protector, he began bringing out my neighbour’s belongings, including chairs and other household items. He also threatened to break into my apartment and throw out my property before I returned,” he said.
When contacted, the public relations officer of the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect was immediately taken into custody.
“The suspect has been arrested, and investigation is ongoing,” Agabe said.
