Itsekiri people in Warri, Delta State have issued an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and security agencies, seeking protection from alleged threats by former Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) leader, Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and his supporters.
Communities reportedly under threat include Ijaghala, Kantu, Obodo, Omadino, Ugborodo, and other Itsekiri settlements in the region.
Allegations of Existential Threats
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Alex Oritsegbeyiwa Eyengho described the situation as an "existential threat" from Ijaws, particularly those from Gbaramatu under Tompolo's influence.
"The death and arson threats reportedly issued to Ijaghala, Kantu, Obodo, Omadino, Ugborodo and other Itsekiri communities became intense recently when videos made by the Spokesman of Gbaramatu-Ijaw, Godspower Gbenekama and one other Ijaw youth began to trend on various social media platforms," Eyengho stated.
According to Eyengho, Tompolo and his associates have allegedly given ultimatums to the leadership of Kantu and Ijaghala communities to publicly declare that Gbaramatu-Ijaw owns both communities or face violent consequences.
"They have successfully got some Kantu people under duress to address the said press conference, and have fixed Friday, June 13, 2025, for the Ijaghala community to follow suit. Since the very unwilling Ijaghala community is next, there is palpable tension everywhere," he added.
Historical Context of the Conflict
Eyengho recalled that during the Warri crisis of the late 1990s, Ijaghala was "completely pulverized and sacked" by Tompolo and his group, forcing residents to become internally displaced persons for over a decade.
"They did it before. They can do it again," he warned, adding that there have been ongoing attempts to impose Ijaw cultural practices on Itsekiri communities, including incidents where bodies buried according to Itsekiri customs were allegedly exhumed and reburied following Ijaw traditions.
The Itsekiri representative emphasized that the affected communities are officially recognized as part of Mandagho Ward in Ugborodo federated communities and have resisted pressure to join Gbaramatu Ward.
Ijaw Response to Allegations
In response to these allegations, the National President of Ijaw People's Development Initiative (IPDI), Comrade Austin Ozobo, cautioned the Itsekiri people to be mindful of their statements, asserting that "Tompolo does not have any gun to threaten anybody or community."
Ozobo claimed that the disputed communities of Kantu, Ijaghala, and Omadino belong to the Gbaramatu-Ijaw people, describing the Itsekiri as "customary tenants" and the Ijaws as "landlords."
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo's Media Consultant, has dismissed the allegations raised by the Itsekiri representatives.
The situation highlights ongoing ethnic tensions in Delta State's oil-rich communities, with both sides making competing claims over land ownership and community rights.
As tensions escalate, affected communities await intervention from federal and state authorities to prevent potential violence in the region.
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