Ijaw, Itsekiri Clash Worsen as Gbaramatu Kingdom Raises Alarm over Alleged Threats to Sack ‘Ikantu and Ijaghala Communities’

The subterranean crisis brewing between Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities over the INEC proposed ward delineation exercise, have taken a new dimensions as stakeholders of Gbaramatu Kingdom, on Monday, raised the alarm over alleged threats issued to the Ijaw people in Ikantu and Ijaghala communities.

This is coming few days after Itsekiri people in Kantu and Ijaghala had raised similar alarm, claiming that Ijaws of Gbaramatu want to take their land in disguise of the INEC proposed ward delineation exercise.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, called for urgent intervention from the federal and state governments regarding alleged threats believed to originate from a group of persons from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

Gbenekama stressed that the threats to sack the Ikantu and Ijaghala communities should not be taken lightly.

The Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom affirmed that the Ijaw ethnic nationality is a peaceful people and intends to remain so. He highlighted that since the issue of delineation became a topic of discourse, the people of Ijaghala and Ikantu have been receiving threats of eviction from their communities.

“We the Ijaws will not fight the Itsekiri people, but they must leave the Ikantu and Ijaghala people alone,” Chief Gbenekama stated. “We are peaceful people, but if any Ikantu or Ijaghala indigenes are attacked by the Itsekiris because they traced their ancestral root to Gbaramatu Kingdom, the gods will fight for us.”

Chief Gbenekama further observed that, according to the Nigerian constitution, every Nigerian has the right to live in any part of the country, and Ikantu and Ijaghala communities are not an exception.

“There is freedom of speech, movement, and association in this country, and I am pleading with those threatening our brothers and sisters in Ikantu and Ijaghala communities to stop the act,” he urged.

He stressed that the mere existence of these threats is sufficient reason for the state and federal governments to take immediate action to protect the lives and property of the people in both communities.

Chief Gbenekama implored all levels of government to prioritize the safety of its citizens, citing the gruesome killing of Benue residents as a solemn reminder. He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of the Warri federal constituency, stating that further delay is not in the best interest of the people. “INEC, come and complete your work; there is peace in Warri federal constituency, why is our own different? Ijaws will always continue to call on God to help us,” he added.

Chief Gbenekama appealed to the state government to identify and apprehend the alleged gun runners in Warri federal constituency, claiming they are preparing to use their arms against the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom and other Ijaw kingdoms.

Recalls that Itsekiri people of Ijaghala and Kantu communities in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta Stat, had last week raised the alarm over what they called alleged threats of arson, calling on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to step in immediately to prevent potential violence.

Addressing a press conference held at Ugbori in Warri South, last week Wednesday, Alex Eyengho, an Itsekiri native of both communities, revealed that recent videos by Chief Godspower Gbenekama, spokesman for Gbaramatu Kingdom, and an unidentified youth had intensified fears of attacks in the riverine areas.

“Videos circulated by Gbaramatu’s spokesman and some youths have heightened our fears of imminent violence,” Eyengho said.

“These communities are partly Itsekiri and Ijaw by birth. While Ijaghala is part of Ugborodo, Kantu belongs to Omadino.”

It could be recall that leaders of Kantu community had recently affirmed their Ijaw heritage and pledged allegiance to Oboro Gbaraun II, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom. However, Eyengho alleged that some of these leaders spoke under duress.

Eyengho further claimed plans were underway to coerce communities into declaring Gbaramatu-Ijaw ownership of Ijaghala and Kantu—plans he warned could escalate tensions.

While alleging “existential threat in the hands of the Ijaws, particularly those of Gbaramatu,” Eyengho stated “the death and arson threats issued to ljaghala, Kantu, Obodo, Omadino, Ugborodo and other Itsekiri communities, became intense and indeed climaxed recently, when videos made by the spokesman of Gbaramatu-Ijaw, Godspower Gbenekama and one other Ijaw youth, started trending on various social media platforms.”

In the said video, Gbenekama warned those threatening harm against the people of Kantu, especially the Chairman and Ama-Okosuwei (oldest man) to desist forthwith, and called on the people, as well as others in other acclaimed Ijaw communities such as “Amadino, Obodo and Jaghala,” to proclaim their true heritage without fear and they will be “protected”.

But Eyengho said; “The unacceptable gun-on-the-head reprieve conditions to Kantu and Ijaghala communities is that the leadership of both communities should compulsorily address a press conference, where they must announce to the world that the Gbaramatu-Ijaw own both communities, failing which both communities shall be pulverized, sacked and the occupants killed!

“They have successfully got some Kantu people under duress to address the said press conference, and have fixed Friday, June 13, 2025 for Ijaghala community to follow suit. Since the very unwilling ljaghala community is next, there is palpable tension everywhere,” the Itsekiri leader asserted.

He emphasized that the land ownership disputes have already been settled in court, with judgments favoring the Itsekiri communities, which are part of the Warri Kingdom under the Olu of Warri.

Eyengho reiterated “Ijaghala Community is a peaceful island located along the Escravos River in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. In the same vein, Kantu is a peaceful community located in a creek off the Escravos River. Most of the people of Ijaghala and Kantu are by birth partly Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups in Delta State. However, the issue of ownership of both Ijaghala and Kantu lands, have been litigated by the Itsekiri (Ugborodo and Omadino communities) versus the Ijaws of Gbaramatu, and long settled by courts of competent jurisdictions, with the judgments known to parties and the public. Simpliciter, while Ijaghala land is owned by Ugborodo Community, Kantu land is owned by Omadino Community, both in Warri Kingdom, under the Olu of Warri.

“The recent threats stem from the controversial wards and units delineation ordered by INEC across Warri Federal Constituency,” Eyengho explained.