AIG Meets Stakeholders, Ban Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo Ethnic Groups In Warri From Referring to Each Other as Customary Tenants

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, has banned stakeholders from Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri, Delta State from referring to each other ethnic group as customary tenants.

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The AIG gave the warning at a stakeholders security meeting over the ‘cool war’ brewing mainly between Itsekiri and Ijaw following INEC proposed ward delineation exercise.

The security meeting held at the office of the AIG Zone 5 Benin on 19th June, 2025, was part of efforts to prevent any breakdown of law and order as a result of the INEC ward delineation exercise in Warri and the need to enhance peace, safety and security in Warri, Delta State.

In attendance were the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Asaba, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Area Commander Warri, the Local Government Chairmen, Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South, the spokesperson and representative of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the representative from the Palace of the Olu of Warri, representatives of Isaba kingdom, representatives of Itsekiri, representatives of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, representatives of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom, representatives of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, amongst other highly placed figures.

In a statement on Friday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tijani Momoh, AIG Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, quoted the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda as saying during the meeting that “since the delineation exercise carried out by INEC in Warri, there has been problems among the three ethnic groups in the area and he has therefore sought the help of the AIG Zone 5 Benin to step in to avoid further escalation and break down of law and other.

“The AIG zone 5 Benin explained that he conveyed the meeting at the Instance of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and noted that there is no difference between the Ijaws, Itsekiris and the Urhobos and warned them all to avoid any issues that will cause a repeat of the 2003/2004 crisis.

“The AIG further appealed to the stakeholders on the need for them to control their youths, and refrain them from making inciting and inflammatory statements, especially on the social media. He reiterated that when a life is lost, nobody can bring it back”.

“Amongst the speakers were the representative of the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, the Rep of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, the rep of Isaba Kingdom, the rep of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, the rep of Gbaramatu kingdom, the three local government chairmen and all speakers all sued for peace and noted that they do not want a crisis in Warri.

“They also noted that the delineation exercise carried out by INEC has not been finalised and that INEC has asked all aggrieved parties to study the draft and bring up their complaints, observations and contributions.

“The AIG, in conclusion, warned that any further breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated, and the trend of name-calling and social media protest will not be tolerated henceforth, stressing that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“He also warned that no ethnic group should refer to another ethnic group as CUSTOMARY TENANTS.

“In conclusion, all parties agreed to work towards the peace and security of Warri kingdom, they pledged to call their youths to order and work towards maintaining the existing peace in order to bring back economic prosperity in Warri, Delta State”.