JUST IN: Ijaw Youths Council Faults Removal Of Pere Of Ogbe-Ijoh Coronation Anniversary Banners By Itsekiris, Says “Police Conniving With Itsekiris To Threaten Peace In Warri” -

By Esther David

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has raised an alarm of the Warri Area Command allegedly conniving with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to oppress Ijaws in the city.

The alarm is sequel to the removal of banners bearing the image of HRM King Couple Oromoni, the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, by Itsekiri youths, in company of police officers from the command.

The development sparked protests by Ijaw youths, who marched to the Area Command demanding the retrieval of the banners and their immediate replacement.

Reacting to the incident, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, in a statement signed by the trio of Nicholas Tamaradenyefa Igarama – Chairman, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary, and Tare Magbei – Information Officer, accused the police of abetting to falsehood and threat to peace in Warri.

The Council fingered the Olu of Itsekiri – Ogiame Atuwatse III and the Warri South Council Chairman- Agbateyiniro Isaac Weyinmi, as masterminds of the condemnable act it described as a decoy to cause war.

“The attention of the Ijaw Youth Council has been drawn to an incident of police officers attached to the Warri Area Command conniving with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to remove banners bearing the image of HRM Couple Oromoni, the revered king of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom.

“This condemnable act is masterminded by one Wayemi Agas, the Warri South Council Chairman, who perpetrated the act on the others of the Itsekiri hierarchy.

“As peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, we view this action as a direct provocation and a calculated attempt to ignite ethnic tension in Warri. The removal of our king’s image is not only an insult to the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom but also a violation of the fragile peace that stakeholders have struggled to sustain in the area.

“We call on the Delta State Government, security agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Warri South Council Chairman and the Itsekiri leadership to desist from further acts capable of undermining peace.

“The Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom has consistently maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors, despite repeated provocations. We will not be forced into conflict, but no one should mistake our commitment to peace as weakness. Any further attempt to desecrate the image or authority of our traditional ruler will be met with stiff resistance.

“We demand a public apology from those responsible and clear assurance from the Warri Area Command that such partiality and connivance will not be repeated.”

Signed

Comrade Nicholas Igarama – Chairman

Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, Esq. – Secretary

Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer