{"id":4735,"date":"2025-08-24T06:37:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T06:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/24\/just-in-delta-coalition-group-calls-for-urgent-investigation-of-olu-of-itsekiris-alleged-recruitment-of-yoruba-fighters-to-destabilize-warri\/"},"modified":"2025-08-24T06:41:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T06:41:40","slug":"just-in-delta-coalition-group-calls-for-urgent-investigation-of-olu-of-itsekiris-alleged-recruitment-of-yoruba-fighters-to-destabilize-warri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/24\/just-in-delta-coalition-group-calls-for-urgent-investigation-of-olu-of-itsekiris-alleged-recruitment-of-yoruba-fighters-to-destabilize-warri\/","title":{"rendered":"Just IN: Delta Coalition Group Alleges Olu Of Itsekiri Recruiting Yoruba Fighters To Destabilize Warri, Calls For Urgent Investigations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Uche Alvin <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), THE DSS, AND ALL NIGERIANS OF GOOD CONSCIENCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject: Urgent Call for Investigation into Alleged Recruitment of Yoruba Fighters by the Olu of Itsekiri to Destabilize Warri
Date: [23\/82025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I. INTRODUCTION: WHEN HISTORY WARNS AND GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking reports reaching us indicate that the Olu of Itsekiri, in concert with certain unscrupulous Yoruba political actors, is allegedly recruiting fighters from the West to unleash coordinated violence in Warri. Some of these mercenaries are said to be preparing to infiltrate Warri by river routes under the guise of offshore workers, while others plan to enter by land disguised as Hausa farmers conveyed in fruit trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If true, this conspiracy represents nothing short of treason against the Nigerian state and a direct threat to national security. The history of Warri warns us: whenever external mercenaries and political desperation mix, blood has always been the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

II. CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MANDATES BETRAYED<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states clearly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 217(2)(c) authorizes the Armed Forces to \u201csuppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 287(1) commands that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Supreme Court in Timinimi v. INEC (SC\/CV\/1033\/2023) ordered a proper delineation of Warri Federal Constituency. INEC\u2019s delay in announcing the final result has become the very fertile soil of ethnic tension which opportunists, including this alleged conspiracy, are exploiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If government fails to act, it would amount to complicity in undermining both constitutional supremacy and national peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

III. FACTS THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Historical Precedent of Mercenary Violence<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In the 1997 Warri crisis, external fighters were ferried in, causing mass killings and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In 1999 and 2003, electoral manipulations and mercenary violence plunged Warri into chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The Gunrunner \u201cMica Polo\u201d Case<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Intelligence and court records link the notorious arms trafficker, Mica Polo, to networks allegedly tied to Itsekiri elites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To ignore this link is to repeat the silence that once allowed Warri to drown in blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. The Desperation of the Olu of Itsekiri and Allies<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        As INEC prepares to announce the long-delayed delineation result, which will expose Itsekiri\u2019s demographic minority, the alleged resort to recruiting Yoruba mercenaries is a desperate attempt to substitute truth with bloodshed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. The Mode of Entry<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          By river, disguised as offshore\/marine workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          By land, disguised as northern farmers, conveyed in fruit trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          These are not ordinary allegations. They are credible security intelligence signals that require urgent federal investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          IV. HISTORICAL DECLARATIONS AND WARNINGS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Duarte Pacheco Pereira\u2019s 1485 testimony recorded that the Ijaw were the aboriginal people of Escravos and Warri rivers, long before the arrival of Iginuwa and his descendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Supreme Court in Shell v. Tiebo VII (SC.33\/1993) recognized Ijaw ownership rights in Warri territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Privy Council in Ometan v. Dore Numa (1926) established that Itsekiri \u201coverlordship\u201d claims were fraudulent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          All this history proves one thing: violence has always been the Itsekiri\u2019s last weapon when truth exposes their lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          V. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Mr. President, by your oath of office under the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, you swore to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          “Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          This oath is broken if external mercenaries are allowed to infiltrate Warri under political cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          We demand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Immediate DSS and Military Investigation into the alleged recruitment of Yoruba fighters by the Olu of Itsekiri and his collaborators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Surveillance of riverine and land routes into Warri to detect disguised infiltrators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Investigation of the Mica Polo gunrunning network, and its alleged ties to Itsekiri elites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. Protective deployment of security forces in Warri Federal Constituency to avert violence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Urgent directive to INEC to publish the final delineation result as ordered by the Supreme Court, since this delay is the very spark fueling desperation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            VI. FINAL WARNING<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Let it be clearly stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If blood spills in Warri again, history will hold not only the Olu of Itsekiri and his sponsors responsible, but also the Federal Government for failing to act when warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            No Final Delineation Result, No Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). Any attempt to conduct CVR without justice is to baptize democracy in fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            As Martin Luther King Jr. warned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And as Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The time to act is now. Tomorrow may be too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Signed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Chief, (Dr) Miebi Thomp
            (Chairman)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Hon, Ovie M. Godgift
            (Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Concerned Ijaw\/Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The National Assembly (Senate & House of Representatives)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Chief of Defence Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Inspector-General of Police<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Governor of Delta State<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The United Nations (UN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The African Union (AU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The European Union (EU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The United States Embassy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The British High Commission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The International Community & Global Media<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), THE…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[1399,1398],"class_list":["post-4735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","tag-calls-for-urgent-investigations","tag-just-in-delta-coalition-group-alleges-olu-of-itsekiri-recruiting-yoruba-fighters-to-destabilize-warri"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1176-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3609,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/ownership-of-warri-group-sends-open-letter-to-governor-oborevwori-calls-for-correction-of-title-of-itsekiri-monarch-from-olu-of-warri-to-olu-of-itsekiri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":0},"title":"OWNERSHIP OF WARRI: Group Sends Open Letter To Governor Oborevwori, Calls For Correction Of Title Of Itsekiri Monarch From \u201cOlu Of Warri To Olu Of Itsekiri\u201c","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"June 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u200e By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE\u200eRE: The Urgent Need to Correct the Misleading Title \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d to \u201cOlu of Itsekiri\u201d or \u201cOlu of Iwerre\u201d or \u201cOlu of Ode-Itsekiri\u201d\u200e\u200eYour Excellency,\u200eRt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori\u200eExecutive Governor of Delta State\u200eGovernment House, Asaba\u200eDelta State\u200eSir,\u200e\u200eWe write\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0271-5-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C806&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0271-5-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C806&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0271-5-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C806&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0271-5-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C806&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0271-5-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C806&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4786,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/06\/group-calls-for-correction-of-itsekiri-monarchs-title-from-olu-of-warri-to-olu-of-itsekiri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":1},"title":"Group Calls For Correction Of Itsekiri Monarch\u2019s Title From \u2018Olu Of Warri\u2019 To Olu Of Itsekiri","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR BOLA AHMED TINUBU,GCFR,PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. A Call for Legislative Motion on the Title of Olu of Warri In the interest of peace, unity, and justice in Delta State, I call on our elected representatives to urgently move a motion\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1212-1.jpg?fit=402%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4375,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/just-in-advocacy-group-writes-open-letter-to-delta-state-house-of-assembly-demands-for-amendment-of-traditional-rulers-and-chiefs-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":2},"title":"JUST IN: Advocacy Group Writes Open Letter To Delta State House Of Assembly, Demands For Amendment Of Traditional Rulers And Chiefs Law","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022As They Call For Correction Of Title Of Olu Of Warri To Olu Of Itsekiri \u200eBy Uche Alvin\u200e\u200eOPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY\u200e Urgent Legislative Action Needed to Amend the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law\u200eCorrect the Misleading Title \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d to the Accurate \u201cOlu of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4411,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/14\/group-makes-rebuttal-to-publication-made-by-itsekiri-historical-front-says-the-great-lies-of-warri-will-be-exposed\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":3},"title":"Group Makes Rebuttal To Publication Made By Itsekiri Historical Front, Says The Great Lies Of Warri Will Be Exposed","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin THE GREAT LIES OF WARRI EXPOSED: A REBUTTAL TO THE DECEITFUL ITSEKIRI HISTORICAL FRONT Issued by: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: July 13, 2025 Let it be made abundantly clear: the Itsekiri Historical Front\u2019s rejoinder dated July 13, 2025, is a glaring act of historical distortion,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0886-1.jpg?fit=244%2C206&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4986,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/11\/06\/group-writes-open-letter-to-fg-nsa-calls-for-reversion-of-olu-of-warri-title-to-olu-of-itsekiri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":4},"title":"Group Writes Open Letter To FG, NSA\ufffc\ufffc, Calls For Reversion Of Olu Of Warri Title To Olu Of Itsekiri","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"November 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David \u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022The Group Charges President Tinubu To Compel INEC To Implement The Supreme Court Ordered Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation Report OPEN LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED ELDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE Subject: On the urgent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0568-1.jpg?fit=790%2C488&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0568-1.jpg?fit=790%2C488&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0568-1.jpg?fit=790%2C488&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0568-1.jpg?fit=790%2C488&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5189,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/just-in-warri-based-group-exposes-greatest-traditional-fraud-in-southern-nigeria-demands-immediate-change-of-title-of-itsekiri-monarch-from-olu-of-warri-to-olu-of-itsekiri-describ\/","url_meta":{"origin":4735,"position":5},"title":"JUST IN: Warri Based Group Exposes Greatest Traditional Fraud In Southern Nigeria, Demands Immediate Change Of Title Of Itsekiri Monarch From \u201cOlu Of Warri\u201d To Olu Of Itsekiri, Describes Title As Illegal And Misleading","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER,THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT,AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2025 SUBJECT: THE GREATEST TRADITIONAL FRAUD IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA, THE ILLEGAL AND MISLEADING TITLE \u201cOLU OF WARRI\u201d MUST BE REVERTED TO ITS TRUE\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1en","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4735"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4736,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4735\/revisions\/4736"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}