Delta / Ondo Land Dispute: Armed Security Personnel Invaded Ebokiti, Itsekiri Leaders Allege

As the boundary dispute between some Itsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State and neighbouring Ilajes of Ondo State rages, Itsekiri leaders from Ugbege, Ebokiti, Ekekporo and Ototo Communities, have raised alarm following alleged invasion of Ebokiti Community by armed security personnel.

The leaders: Dr. Emmanuel Ikomi ; Ugbege Community, Tosan Odume; Ebokiti Community, Oritseminomi Madamedon; Ekekporo Community and Kehinde Titiola; Ototo Community, said the invaders, who stormed Ebokiti Community Friday October 2, included security personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Ondo State Amotekun Corps.

They called on the Federal and Delta state governments to immediately intervene, to prevent the situation from turning into a full blown crisis.

In a joint statement made available to Our Warri North Correspondent last night, the Itsekiri leaders commended the Federal and Delta State Governments for their swift intervention in similar dispute over Aja-Ebighan community. 

According to them, intervention of the Federal and Delta State Governments, stopped projects allegedly being undertaken by the Ondo State Government in the disputed area.

They commended both governments for coming to their aid, saying the intervention prevented what could have developed into a full-blown inter-state crisis, with grave consequences for lives and property.

The community leaders, said they were deeply concerned over the development in Ebokiti, alleging that the armed personnel arrived in the community with a gunboat, creating panic among residents.

According to them, the heavy security presence heightened tension in the community, with some residents relocating temporarily to neighbouring communities for fear of possible confrontation.

The leaders, opined that the invasion of Ebokiti could be an attempt by the Ilajes, backed by Ondo state government, to extend territorial claim to another Itsekiri community, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly before the situation degenerates.

The leaders appealed to the Federal Government, Delta State Government and the Ondo State Government, particularly Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to call all parties and security personnel to order in the interest of peace.

They warned that continued deployment of heavily armed/mask personnel by Ondo state government to the affected itsekiri communities, could create unnecessary tension and undermine the longstanding peaceful relationship among neighbouring communities.

They questioned what they described as the concentration of security operations in Itsekiri communities, insisting that their ancestral lands should not become the subject of force or intimidation.

They maintained that Aja-Ebighan is a gazetted community within Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, insisting that its status and territorial boundaries must be determined through lawful and constitutional processes.

The elders declared that they will not surrender their ancestral land to "unknown invaders."

They urged people of the affected communities to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing optimism that the dispute would be resolved through dialogue, constitutional processes and the courts, rather than through the deployment of armed personnel.

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