Some Itsekiri communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and relevant security agencies to intervene in what they describe as rising threats to their safety allegedly emanating from ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
In a statement made on behalf of the affected communities, a prominent Itsekiri stakeholder, Alex Oritsegbeyiwa Eyengho, issued a Save-Our-Soul message to the authorities, warning of what he called an “existential threat” against Itsekiri towns including Ijaghala, Kantu, Obodo, Omadino, Ugborodo, and others.
Eyengho alleged that recent videos circulated on social media by some Gbaramatu-Ijaw youth leaders, including Godspower Gbenekama, contained threats of violence and coercion.
According to him, leaders of Ijaghala and Kantu communities have come under pressure to publicly acknowledge Gbaramatu-Ijaw ownership of their communities — an ultimatum he described as being issued under duress.
“The so-called conditions demand that we declare the communities as belonging to the Ijaw or face attacks. This has created tension and fear among our people,” he said.
He recalled that during the Warri crisis of the late 1990s, Ijaghala was one of the first communities to suffer heavy attacks, leaving many residents displaced for years.
He further alleged ongoing attempts by Ijaw groups to undermine the cultural and political autonomy of the Itsekiri people in the region, including forced burial practices and ward reassignments.
“The position of our people remains clear: Ijaghala and its three units are an integral part of Mandagho Ward in Ugborodo federated communities. We will not cede our identity,” Eyengho stressed.
He urged President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori to urgently address the situation and ensure peace and mutual respect among the ethnic groups in the oil-rich region.
In response, the National President of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), Comrade Austin Ozobo, cautioned against what he described as inflammatory statements by the Itsekiri.
He maintained that the communities in question — Kantu, Ijaghala, and Omadino — are originally part of Gbaramatu and that the Ijaw people have accommodated their Itsekiri neighbours peacefully.
“Tompolo is not threatening anyone. These are baseless claims. The Ijaws are landlords in these areas, and the Itsekiris are customary tenants,” Ozobo stated.
Similarly, Tompolo’s media consultant, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, dismissed the allegations raised by the Itsekiri communities, describing them as unfounded.
