Residents Decry Alleged Police Bias In Handling Of Bonny Island Family Clash Investigation

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Residents of Bonny Island in Rivers State have expressed concerns over the manner in which the Rivers State Police Command handled the investigation and arraignment of individuals linked to a violent clash between two families in the area.

The incident, which occurred on August 22, 2026, at the Tobin Family compound, reportedly left several persons injured from both sides.

According to community sources, the crisis is linked to a disagreement over participation in the annual cultural festival in Bonny Island. Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that tensions escalated when a dispute arose regarding the scheduled dates for cultural rites.

One resident alleged that members of the Tobin Family were attacked in their compound while preparing for their scheduled cultural performance on August 22, 2026. He claimed that the attackers were armed with machetes and other weapons, resulting in injuries on both sides.

“It was supposed to be their turn to perform the rites. Each family had been given different dates. But on the morning of their performance, there was an attack and many people were injured,” a resident said.

Another resident alleged that despite both families recording casualties, the police response appeared uneven. The sources claimed that the family head of the Tobin Family, Elder Darlinton Tobin, and some family members were arrested, detained, and subsequently charged with alleged attempted murder and remanded in a correctional facility pending court proceedings.

The residents further alleged that five persons said to be linked to the other family involved in the clash were arrested and charged with lesser offences and were later granted bail.

“The injuries were on both sides. One person was said to have sustained a machete injury to the hand, while another reportedly sustained a deep cut to the head. But the charges filed were not similar,” another community source claimed.

The residents also alleged that prior to the arraignment, the Tobin Family members were repeatedly invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for questioning, and that the other party allegedly failed to honour similar invitations on several occasions.

They claimed that the development has created tension in the community and called for a transparent investigation.

A legal counsel to one of the families, Barrister Olayinka Sanni, was said to have earlier raised concerns about alleged bias during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID. The police officer was said to have denied the allegation at the time.

When contacted for reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, said she was yet to be briefed by the SCID on the matter. She promised to make findings and get back to our correspondent, but was yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.

Residents have however called on the Commissioner of Police and relevant authorities to ensure a thorough, impartial investigation to prevent further breakdown of law and order in Bonny Island.