Renowned Ijaw Leader Chief Ebis Moni Faults Destruction of 10th Coronation Billboards of Monbene III

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Leading Niger Delta leader, Chief Ebis Moni, the Sukereowei of Operemor Kingdom Operemor Kingdom has condemned attack on Ijaw people and destruction of billboard and banners of 10th coronation anniversary of HRM Mobene III, the Pere Of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.

The pioneer Meinbotus president Moni said intelligence reports before Nigeria Independence have attested for the Ijaw presence in Warri and its environment, adding that the police did a bad job by dancing to the tune of the highest bidder.

Moni said where the 10th coronation anniversary celebration billboards and banners belong to Ijaw people and not Itsekiri.

The Traditional Chief urged the commissioner of police call the Warri Area Commander to order for insulting Ijaw and its cultural heritage in Warri and its environ, accusing the police and security of inciting fresh crisis in Warri.

He further demanded a public apology from the police to douse the rising anger and tension among Ijaw youth in Warri.

The statement read, “I grew up in Warri, when I was about 9 or 10 years old and I could remember that all the waterside down to the market road was occupied by the Ijaw people, where they had the Ogogoro union and many other unions owned by Ijaw people. All those areas belong to the Ijaw people, it was after the crisis that Ibori came to the market road area to inspect the environment and made inquiry on Ijaw people places from Aso rock down to the Naval base. He addressed us and I made my own speech and he left. After some time, they requested my attention at the government annex in Edjeba, Warri, so I went there, l was accompanied by my brother, on getting there I met the secretary to the then State Government Ovojere Macaulay and one lbujor man.

“We had a discussion, while we were discussing Macaulay asked me to name my price that they are willing to pay, and they will settle every occupant of some of the Itsekiri buildings to evacuate. So I told them that I grew up in that place and I’m fully aware that the place belongs to the Ijaw people and not the Itsekiri people, So I asked them where we are evacuating to? And I told them that we can’t leave our place and allow itsekiri people to live there. The government insisted on paying me a huge amount of money so I shouldn’t be bothered about the houses, I told them that I can’t accept their offer knowing fully well that the place belongs to the Ijaw people before the crisis.

“However, I told them that I can’t accept such money, so they asked me to take my time and think over it and give them a response, after a while, they called me again and I told them No. In a few while I heard that they have paid some Ijaw boys and Ogbokone Chairman, so they asked them to evacuate from the Itsekiris houses in the market road area. So I hurriedly went there to confirm, on getting there I saw people packing and leaving the few Itsekiris houses and I asked them why?, they told me that they were asked to leave there and go and collect money in the Naval base. Again, I told them that this is our place and we can’t leave these houses of our squatters for anyone else or for the Itsekiri people no matter what, I told those packing that they are just wasting their time because this is Ijaw people places and the houses in question were conquered during the crisis.

“My advice to my Ijaw people is that we should be wise, what is happening right now we don’t have any intentions of fighting with the Itsekiri people. I’m surprised by the actions of the Itsekiri people recently, causing unnecessary tension and looking for all possible means to fight with the Ijaw people, to the extent of removing banners of the 10th coronation anniversary inviting the public to the Ogbeh-Ijaw Warri Kingdom, wherever the banners are displayed no one has the right to remove them, especially now that it posted within Ijaw territory. Just imagine the level of immaturity displayed, and I’m very ashamed of The Nigeria Police personnel who accompanied them to do such a rubbish job, citing that they were giving orders from above, it’s very surprising. Well, I thank Tompolo who was able to calm the Ijaw nation and let peace reign and called everyone to order and asked no one to attack the Itsekiri people or fight them. I’m very surprised that after suffering seriously in the last crisis, the Itsekiri people are still advocating for war. We are very peace loving people but we are not easy targets or lazy people”.

His Royal Majesty, King Couple, I have known him for decades, even before the Warri crisis. The role he played recently during the heavy tension in Warri has shown his level of maturity and wisdom he has. He has shown the world that he is a peace loving king and very nice to his people.

“He will never one day have plans to attack or go to war with his neighbors, the Itsekiri people despite their provocative efforts to cause crisis in Warri, Even before he was crowned King and even during the crisis he has never one day led a squad to attack anyone or destroy others property. He is a very peace loving king and needs to be respected”, he added.