Non-governmental organisation, Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt to claim Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State from them, saying it is a territorial affront.

The group, In a statement by its Vice President, Mrs Tasye Mene, urged some individuals from Ogbe-Ijoh in Delta State to desist, insisting that the Ijaw had no claim to the area.

According to the group, the individuals were also disregarding the rule of law, having already lost their claims to the land in court.

Mene also urged Delta State government to restore order in the area following an alleged assault upon the Warri South Local Government Secretariat and the Ekurede Itsekiri community.

The statement reads: “Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths have observed, with unmitigated alarm, the latest campaign of deception and provocation by certain Ogbe-Ijoh elements who have unlawfully sought to impose spurious territorial claims within Warri South Local Government Area by erecting fraudulent banners and fomenting discord.

“They have instituted many court cases between 1964 till even recently in 2012 and 2020 in their attempt to lay claim to Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, and have lost woefully on each occasion.

“It smacks of gross disregard for rule of law to lose such a number of court cases over the same claim and yet resort to violence and self help. Every reasonable Deltan knows that the Ijaw do not have any place in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The deliberate mounting of banners by the Ijaw of Ogbe-Ijoh for the first time in Warri South Local Government Area in the guise of the coronation anniversary of the king of Ogbe- Ijoh in Warri South-West Local Government Area, a different Local Government Area in disrespect for court judgement to lay claim to Warri South Local Government Area can only be an attempt to disturb public peace.

“The halting of the mounting of these banners and the removal of the few existing ones which was done in accordance with the law was an act of rightful governance.

“Rather than accept a lawful process, the perpetrators escalated the situation into an unprovoked assault upon the Warri South Local Government Secretariat and the Ekurede Itsekiri community. Such a conduct is an affront to civil order and a direct challenge to the dignity of the Itsekiri people.

“Let the position of the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths be stated plainly and without equivocation: we are resolute, unyielding, and prepared to defend our homeland. Our readiness is not born of appetite for conflict but of duty to safeguard our people, our institutions, and our heritage. We shall therefore pursue every legitimate and constitutional avenue available to us — including urgent appeals to security agencies, immediate civil and criminal proceedings against identified perpetrators, and rigorous engagement with the state government and relevant federal authorities — to ensure accountability and to deter further transgressions.

“This organisation will not tolerate continued provocations or the rewriting of historical and administrative realities through intimidation or force.

“Any further attempt to violate the territorial integrity of Warri South Local Government Area will be met with a proportionate, lawful, and coordinated response by the Itsekiri people and the institutions that protect civil society.

“We call on security agencies to act decisively, on the Delta State government to restore and guarantee public order, and on community leaders of goodwill to counsel restraint and de-escalation. The Itsekiri nation remains committed to peace — but make no mistake: peace shall be defended, and our rights will be protected by every lawful means at our disposal.” (Vanguard)

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