Fresh Clash Between Itsekiri, Ijaw Youths Spark Tension in Warri

By Diafa Doubra

WARRI -Delta State, was on edge Tuesday following violent clashes between Itsekiri and Ijaw youths that disrupted peace in parts of the city and left several people injured.

The trouble reportedly began in the evening when Ijaw youths accused the police, alongside some Itsekiri individuals, of pulling down banners celebrating the 10th coronation anniversary of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, HRM Monbene III. The banners, which had been displayed in parts of Warri, were meant to honor the traditional ruler. Their removal was seen as a deliberate act of provocation and affront, sparking outrage among the Ijaw youths.

What started as verbal confrontations quickly degenerated into violence. Itsekiri youth were accused of mobilizing and engaging the Ijaw youths in street battles, with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, bottles, and guns. Residents said they heard gunshots in several areas, prompting people to abandon their shops and flee to safety. Major streets that would normally be bustling with activity were deserted as panic spreads.

By the time security operatives arrived, the situation had already escalated. Although there were fears of fatalities, the police later confirmed that no deaths had been recorded, but at least four Ijaw youths sustained injury, with one brutally shot and butchered in an alleged ambushed, and the victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The Delta State Police Command has come under criticism for not responding quickly enough to the initial crisis. However, the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, assured that the situation was under control and appealed for calm.

Meanwhile, community leaders have called for restraint, warning that further violence could worsen already fragile relations between the Itsekiri and Ijaw people in Warri. They stressed the need for dialogue to address underlying grievances, including disputes over land ownership, cultural recognition, and traditional authority and INEC delineation exercise report.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has also been urged to intervene swiftly to prevent a repeat of the unrest. Many residents are appealing for peace, noting that continued clashes would not only endanger lives but also threatened the economic stability of Warri, a city regarded as one of Delta State’s commercial hubs.

As of last night, normalcy was slowly returning to the troubled areas, but fear still lingered, with locals calling on security agencies to remain on high alert to forestall any fresh outbreak of violence.