A socio-cultural group, the Izon Cultural Heritage Center (ICHC), has raised the alarm over alleged arson, destruction of its spiritual place of worship, disturbance of public peace, threat to life and non-compliance with the code of conduct of the police by a staff. of the Nigerian Police and other suspects.
In a petition by ICHC legal counsel, Wisdom Meni Adike, addressed to the commissioner of police in Delta State, the cultural group, which worships the deity Osuopele, alleged violation of their worship rights.
The ICHC stated: “We hereby present this petition to formally address the grievances resulting from the acts perpetrated by Mr. Tamarauebi Elisha Owan, Superintendent of the Nigeria Police, together with his associates.
“On December 20, 2024, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Mr. Tamarauebi Elisha Owan, accompanied by the following people: Mr. Benjamín Oroso; Tony Edenbo; Mr. Aviba Akuna; and Mr. Chalington Owan, involved in an illegal act that resulted in the burning of our sacred place of worship.
“This act constituted deliberate destruction of property and a flagrant act of arson against a place of worship.
“Despite the peaceful attempts of the worshipers of the Osuopele Temple to prevent this destruction, they were overpowered and attacked by the aforementioned individuals.
“This aggression not only resulted in the demolition of the sacred place of worship, but also caused a significant disturbance of the public peace.”
The cultural group said in compliance with their legal obligations as law-abiding citizens, Osuopele worshipers did not resort to self-help but chose to report the incident to the Nigerian Police.
The group further stated: “We request your office to take urgent and appropriate action to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that justice prevails against the unlawful acts committed by the aforementioned individuals.
“The illegal actions committed during this incident directly violate the following provisions of the Penal Code Law.
“Article 443 criminalizes the intentional burning of structures and sentences anyone found guilty to life imprisonment. “Article 444 criminalizes attempts to illegally set property on fire, as detailed in Article 443, and is punishable by up to fourteen years in prison.
“Further, the actions of Mr. Tamarauebi Elisha Owan and his associates constitute a violation of the fundamental rights of worshipers of the Osuopele Deity, enshrined in Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“This article guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. In light of the above, we urge the Nigerian Police to launch an immediate investigation into these acts of arson and take appropriate legal action against Mr. Tamarauebi Elisha Owan, Mr. Benjamin Oroso, Tony Edenbo, Mr. Aviba Akuna, Mr. Chalington Owan and anyone else involved.
“We trust that this serious matter will be treated with the urgency it deserves to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all Nigerian citizens.
“The above provisions of the Penal Code Act speak for themselves and call for the urgent investigation, punishment, arrest and prosecution of Superintendent Tamarauebi Elisha Owan and others.”
Speaking on the issue, ICHC President Bodmas Apostle Prince Kemepadei urged the police to act quickly before the matter degenerates.
Apostle Bodmas stated: “We are using this medium to call on the Nigerian Police to act before this matter degenerates into an interfaith crisis while we are doing everything possible to calm the temper of our worshipers.
“The situation is nothing more than a clear case of intimidation, harassment and violation of our religious rights.”