Serious tension has gripped Warri, Delta State following violent protests by Itsekiri youths on Monday over the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) recent ward delineation exercise.

The protesters, who gathered at the popular Okumagba Estate in Okere-Urhobo land, chanted war songs and displayed placards with various inscriptions attacking High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, his security firm TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

According to eyewitnesses, the Itsekiri youths issued direct threats of war against their Ijaw and Urhobo neighbors if INEC fails to reverse its decision on the ward delineation. The protest has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of ethnic conflicts in the region.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation reported that Okere-Urhobo youths demonstrated restraint by ignoring the protesters, who appeared intent on reigniting historical tensions in Warri. Similarly, Ijaw youths remained uninvolved, continuing with their normal activities after recently celebrating the late Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro's day.

Reacting to the development, National President of Ijaw People's Development Initiative (IPDI), Comrade Austin Ozobo, described the incident as "an invasion of Ijaw communities in NPA and Okere-Urhobo land."

"They went to a business premises and attacked people, destroyed vehicles, and injured people," Ozobo stated. "The Itsekiris' action is a call for war. But I spoke with people who suffered unlawful attacks and invasion from the Itsekiris' irate youth to remain calm and law-abiding."

The IPDI president has called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi, to investigate the incident and hold responsible parties accountable "for the interest of peace."

Attempts to reach the Okere-Urhobo youth president for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The current tensions highlight the sensitive nature of electoral boundary adjustments in the multi-ethnic Delta region, where historical rivalries between Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo communities have occasionally led to violent confrontations.

As of press time, neither INEC nor the Delta State Government had issued an official statement regarding the protests or the contested ward delineation exercise.