JUST IN: Ijaghala Community Denies Kidnap Allegations Against Gbaramatu Leaders, Says Controversy Arose From Internal Youth Leadership Dispute -

By Freeborn Abraye

The people of Ijaghala Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have rejected allegations that Gbaramatu leaders ordered the kidnapping of officials of the Ugborodo Community National Youth Body, describing the claims as false, misleading and unfounded.

The community was reacting to a report titled, “Gbaramatu-Ijaw Leaders Allegedly Order Kidnap of Top Executives of Ugborodo Youth Body,” published by Fresh Angle International on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

The report alleged that the Chairman of the Ijaghala youth body, Mayomi Ololo Abeson; General Secretary, Adeyemi Tobi; and Public Relations Officer, Glory Macaully, were abducted by armed persons allegedly acting on the instructions of Gbaramatu-Ijaw leaders.

It also alleged that the three youth officials were taken to Oporoza and detained in what was described as an illegal prison.

However, in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Ijaghala Management Caretaker Community, Gabriel Ofeoritse Eyeaghanre, and the Chief Priest of Ijaghala Community, Oritsedumi Monday, the community dismissed the allegations.

“The Ijaghala Community has dismissed as false, misleading and completely unfounded the allegations contained in the publication,” the statement said.

The community also denied the claim that the youth officials were taken to Oporoza and detained in an illegal facility.

“The community categorically denies the claim that the three youth executives were taken to Oporoza and detained in an alleged illegal prison,” it stated.

According to the community leaders, the controversy arose from an internal leadership dispute involving two factions of the community youth body and should not be presented as a kidnapping incident.

“The matter at the centre of the controversy is essentially an internal dispute between two factions of youths laying claim to the leadership of the community youth body,” the statement added.

The leaders identified one faction as being led by Alex Eyengho, while the other was associated with Besidone Eyengho, with Stanley Oluku named as Chairman, Kenneth Ogugbemi as Secretary and Glory Macaully as Public Relations Officer.

They maintained that the disagreement should not be linked to Gbaramatu-Ijaw leaders or used to suggest the existence of private detention facilities in Oporoza.

“The internal disagreement should not be misrepresented as a kidnapping incident involving Gbaramatu-Ijaw leaders or as evidence of the existence of alleged private or illegal prisons in Oporoza,” the community said.

The community further declared that Alex Eyengho was not authorised to speak on its behalf.

“Mr. Alex Eyengho does not represent Ijaghala Community and does not speak on behalf of the community. His comments, allegations and conclusions should not be regarded as the official position of Ijaghala Community or its recognised leadership,” the statement said.

It accused him of attempting to create distrust and tension within and around the community.

“The community views the statements attributed to Mr. Eyengho as a deliberate attempt to create disaffection, sow distrust and cause unnecessary friction within and around Ijaghala Community,” it added.

Ijaghala Community described itself as peace-loving and committed to the rule of law, dialogue and peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities.

“Ijaghala Community is a peace-loving community that respects the rule of law and remains committed to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities,” the statement said.

The community also expressed concern that serious allegations of kidnapping and illegal detention were published without obtaining its position through the recognised leadership.

“It is unfortunate that serious allegations bordering on kidnapping and illegal detention were published without establishing the facts from the recognised leadership of Ijaghala Community,” it stated.

The community called on members of the public, security agencies and the media to treat the allegations with caution and disregard statements issued without the authority of its recognised leadership.

“Ijaghala Community remains committed to peace, dialogue and the lawful resolution of disputes. The community will, however, not stand by while its name is used to promote false narratives or while individuals make statements capable of causing division and disaffection among its people,” the statement concluded.

Source: GbaramatuVoice