Itsekiri Youth Calls for Immediate Action to Prevent Escalating Violence in Warri

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In recent weeks, tension has been mounting in parts of Warri following reports of renewed hostilities targeted at the Itsekiri people. Community leaders and youth bodies have raised alarm over coordinated attacks carried out by groups from Ijaw people from Ogbe ijoh in Warri South West.

These disturbing developments, if not swiftly addressed, risk undermining years of peaceful coexistence and stability in the region. The Itsekiri Youth for Good Governance (IYGG) has therefore issued a strong statement calling for urgent intervention from the Delta State Government.

The group emphasizes its commitment to peace, unity, and development, but insists that the Itsekiri people will not stand idle in the face of threats, intimidation, or violence. Below is the full text of the press release issued by the IYGG leadership.

The Press release reads

A Call for Preventive Action to Avert Another Round of Crisis in Warri: The Continuous Attacks on Itsekiri Community Should Stop Now

The attention of the leadership of Itsekiri Youth for Good Governance (IYGG), a major socio-political group in the State, has been drawn to a well-planned out and coordinated attack on the Itsekiri people of Ekurede Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State by the Ijaws from Ogbe-Ijoh of Warri South West.

We wish to express our growing concerns over recent developments in our communities that, if not urgently addressed, could threaten the peace and security we have all worked hard to maintain over the past years.

We have observed with deep concern a series of provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric reportedly linked to individuals and groups from the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups in certain parts of the State, especially in the three Warri LGAs. These actions, if left unchecked, risk escalating into broader ethnic tensions that could destabilize our shared communities and undermine decades of coexistence.

We condemn in totality the calculated, planned attack on the Itsekiri people of Ekurede Community in Warri South by the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh from Warri South West.

We believe it is the duty of government, particularly the State Governor, to act swiftly and impartially in preventing such tensions from developing into open conflict. We therefore call on His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, to caution the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups who have in recent times carried out various attacks on the Itsekiri community, urging restraint in their further actions and inactions against the Itsekiri people.

We also call on His Excellency to ensure that security agencies act proactively and fairly to prevent intimidation, violence, or incitement by this group of individuals.

We, the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, remain committed to peace, order, and the prosperity of Delta State. But we will never accept nor tolerate any actions that undermine the peace of the Itsekiri people or threaten our existence as a nation. If necessary steps are not taken to avert the unprovoked attacks on the Itsekiri people in their peaceful community, the Itsekiri people will have no option but to defend themselves against any form of threats, further attacks, and provocation by any of the two neighbors against their existence.

Signed:

Metsh Sam Oki
IYGG Secretary

Comrade Mode Ajatiton
IYGG PRO

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