Ijaw Women’s Group Condemns Killings In Ojobo, Ogboinbiri; Calls For Peace, Dialogue

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The Ijaw Women Rights’ Protection Forum, IWRPF, has strongly condemned the ongoing killings and violence in Ojobo and Ogboinbiri communities over mere community leadership tussles, describing the bloodshed as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group lamented that the violence was “tearing apart families, silencing dreams, and leaving deep wounds” in the communities.

“Our hearts are heavy, and our voices tremble with pain as we ask, how much more must we endure? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we finally choose peace?” the Forum stated.

The group reminded the warring factions that Ojobo and Ogboinbiri people are “brothers, sisters, one people bound by history, culture, and shared identity,” insisting that “no money, no position, no political ambition is worth the grief of a mother or the loss of a young life full of promise.”

Calling on community leaders, youths, elders, and stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, the Forum said: “Violence is not our identity. Destruction is not our path. Dialogue, understanding, and unity are the tools we must now embrace.”

The statement concluded with a direct appeal: “Ojobo and Ogboinbiri, hear this cry — enough is enough. Lay down the weapons. Open the doors for conversation. Let wisdom lead where emotions have failed. Let peace lead.”