Delta Oil Siege: Tompolo Breaks Silence on Warri Delineation Crisis, Calls for Calm, Asks INEC to Do the Right Thing

The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), has broken his silence on the volatile Ward and Polling Unit delineation controversy rocking the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State.

Tompolo’s intervention followed a coordinated, large-scale siege on critical crude oil facilities by women and youths within the Ijaw enclave of the constituency.

The mass protest, which began on Monday, June 8, 2026, resulted in the shutdown of over 13 major oil flow stations.

The affected facilities—primarily operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (formerly SPDC)—collectively produce over 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

In a terse statement released late Tuesday night, the former Niger Delta commander revealed that his phone has been inundated with calls from prominent Nigerians seeking a peaceful resolution to the economic and political gridlock.

“Since yesterday, the 8th of June 2026, we are all living witnesses to the mass action by peaceful women and youths from our various communities occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas,” Tompolo said.

Advertisement

“Since then, many well-meaning Nigerians have been calling for a peaceful resolution of the impasse. I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution.”

Tompolo reminded the protesters of their heritage, urging them not to allow their grievances to spiral out of control or be hijacked by criminal elements.

“The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways, and we cannot deviate from our history. The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or to degenerate into violence of any sort,” he warned.

To defuse the immediate tension, the Tantita boss sued for calm and announced an emergency meeting of community leaders to chart a way forward.

He also threw the ball into the court of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the electoral umpire holds the key to lasting peace in the region.

“I am calling for calm no matter the situation. I am also calling for a meeting of community leaders to meet immediately to enable us devise a way forward. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse,” Tompolo added.

Advertisement

“INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environs. We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing.”