Itsekiri Leadership Urges Oborevwori To Call Ogbe-Ijoh King, Functionaries To Order, Set Up Panel Of Inquiry

Amid the ongoing ward re-delineation dispute among the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri, the leadership of the Itsekiri nation has urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to call the Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Monbene III, and his functionaries to order.

This follows renewed tension in the oil-rich city of Warri between the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups over long-standing territorial disputes, raising fears of a wider conflict that could destabilise the region’s fragile peace.

In a strongly worded press statement delivered at a press conference on Saturday at the Olu of Warri Palace, the Itsekiri leadership accused the Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom, His Royal Majesty Monbene III, of attempting to extend his sovereignty into Warri South Local Government Area—a move they said had already led to bloodshed, destruction of property, and threats to security.

The Ogwa-Olusan, Chief Brown Mene, who addressed journalists alongside an array of chiefs, alleged that armed men stormed Pessu Community at midnight on 18 September and killed a local vigilante leader, Dele Ogunbayo.

Chief Mene claimed that the military initially denied involvement in the killing but later admitted responsibility.

Citing a string of court rulings dating back to the 1950s, the Itsekiri insisted that Ogbe-Ijoh’s domain is restricted to Warri South-West LGA and that repeated attempts to establish an “Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom” in Warri South were illegal.

They further accused powerful political figures of sponsoring “ghost communities” across the local government area to foment unrest.

“We urge Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to act decisively, call his functionaries to order, and set up a panel of inquiry,” the statement read. “What threatens peace is not law but lawlessness. If this festering crisis is not addressed, more lives will be lost.”

The group also demanded that the Ama-Okosu remove coronation banners allegedly erected in Warri South outside his jurisdiction, restrain his subjects from further hostilities, and that federal authorities investigate both the military’s role and other actors involved.

Their demands to avert further crises include:

That His Majesty forthwith causes the removal of all banners and billboards mounted in Warri South LGA, as these lie outside his reign according to the judgment of the lower court, which His Majesty has appealed against.

That His Majesty forthwith restrains the indigenes and people of Ogbe-Ijoh community in Warri South-West LGA, as well as other Ijaws within and outside Warri and its environs—whether tenants or illegally resident in the disputed area—from further acts of hooliganism and harassment of the Itsekiri people.

That His Majesty forthwith ceases all further threats to kill more people if his domain is not extended beyond what the trial court has decided.

That the state government should set up a panel of inquiry to investigate this matter and rescind its immediate statement which appeared to politicise the issue.

That the Inspector-General of Police should immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

That the Federal Government should review its policy of entrusting security operations to private citizens accused of pursuing an ethnic cleansing agenda.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Delta State Government inaugurated a peace committee to restore lasting harmony in Warri and its environs following the recent inter-ethnic hostilities.

The committee, comprising representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities, was inaugurated by the Director-General of Security, Hon. David Tonwe, at the Government House Annex in Warri.

Representatives of the three major ethnic groups—Chief Sylvester Okumagba (Urhobo), Hon. Orueboh Oritsetimeyin (Itsekiri), and Hon. Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor (Ijaw)—also pledged to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to restore peace to Warri.

The renewed violence has already claimed lives on both sides, with commercial activities disrupted along Warri’s waterfronts and growing anxiety among residents.

Observers fear that unless the Delta State Government intervenes swiftly and impartially, the fragile peace between the Ijaw and Itsekiri could collapse, rekindling memories of past Warri crises that paralysed Nigeria’s oil hub and cost countless lives.