Burial Permit: INYC Puts Security Agencies On Notice, Says Sapele Okpe Community Usurping Powers of LGC

The Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, has put law enforcement agencies on notice, to prevent any breakdown of law and order, following a letter circulating on social media, which requires Sapele Okpe Community to issue permits before any burial in Sapele.

The INYC, warned that any letter directed to any community body regarding the burial permit, which does not emanate from Sapele Local Government Council, shall be resisted.

The Sapele Zone of Itsekiri National Youth Council, which handed down the notice in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International Monday September 21, urged Sapele Local Government Chairman to step up to his responsibility, by weeding out criminal elements in the local government area.

The INYC Sapele Zone in the statement credited to Tenison Boyo, noted that the controversial letter by Sapele Okpe Community, purportedly issued by one Mr. Okorolokor John, is illegal, null and void.

The statement, reads:"

The attention of the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), Sapele Branch, has been drawn to a purported approval of a letter in circulation on social media particularly Facebook permitting burial by the Sapele Okpe Community on August 3, 2026.

We wish to state unequivocally that the said approval letter is entirel) illegal, null, and void. For the avoidance of doubt, we state as follows:

 Nullity of Approval & Statutory Authority:

 The purported approval is illegal and alien to our extant laws. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Fourth Schedule, Section 1(c), the sole statutory body vested with the mandatory legal responsibility, jurisdiction, and power for the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of cemeteries, burial grounds, and related approvals is the Local Government Council.

Any private or community-level authorization such as the Sapele Okpe Community regarding burials is an usurpation of statutory powers and carries no legal weight.

No Evidence of Ownership: While the freedom to write or receive letters is acknowledged, neither the application nor the community approval can be construed, utilized, or tendered in any manner as evidence of the land or territory of Sapele.

CALL TO ACTION;

 • The Sapele Local Government Council Chairman must step up to its responsibility weed out criminal elements, and protect members of the public.

 • Law enforcement and security agencies are hereby put on notice to prevent any breakdown of law and order or illegal activities that may arise from actions founded on this void approval.

 • Further Warning on Unauthorized Letters: We explicitly warn that any purported letter or application directed to any community body other than the Council without prior express approval from the INC Sapele Branch shall be severely resisted, and any individual acting in breach thereof shall be treated accordingly.

The general public is hereby put on strict notice and advised to be guided accordingly, as we categorically disassociate ourselves and the Itsekiri indigenous people in Sapele from the purported letter by one Mr. Okorolokor John and any burial permits originating from unauthorized community sources.

Signed:

 Tenison Boyo

 for: Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC)

 Sapele Zone.

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