Warri Reclamation Thrust: Urgent Need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to Declare a State of Emergency in Delta State

Warri Reclamation Thrust: Urgent Need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to Declare a State of Emergency in Delta State

Date: September 20, 2025

Issued from Warri, Delta State

Introduction

Members of Warri Reclamation Thrust a pressure group of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, issues an urgent briefing to the Federal Government of Nigeria, civil society, and the international community concerning the worsening crisis in Delta State.

Warri and its environs have become the epicenter of ethnic violence, governance failure, humanitarian displacement and the disregard for the rule of law. The situation has now escalated beyond the capacity and willingness of the state government to manage responsibly.

Recent happenings within Warri South on the issue of land ownership and Territorial boundaries have already claimed a life in Pessu community. while several properties have been damaged. 

The failure by the Delta State Governor to address the 2021 " Government white paper on the reports of the judicial panel of enquiry into Okpe-Urhobo forest reserve and other ancillary matters relating to the reserved portion and encroachment" has reignited a fresh rounds of attacked between Abigborodo community of Warri North and the people of Okpe Local government both in Delta state. This has led to destruction of properties, with many persons injured and a total breakdown of economic activities.

Why a State of Emergency is Necessary

1. Incendiary Statement by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori

On September 19, 2025, the Governor of Delta State speaking in an event declared:

“To Warri people, if you want to fight, fight after 2031. Don’t fight during my time. What do you want me to say? Do you want me to lose votes?”

This reckless statement, unbecoming of a Chief Security Officer, reduces the lives and safety of citizens to political arithmetic. It implies tolerance for violence after his tenure and constitutes an abdication of constitutional responsibility under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. What Governor Sheriff is telling the people of Warri is "Wait till after I leave office before you kill yourself and even though I know the truth I care more on votes than lives and propeties, I can't offend my friends even though they are always breakers.

2. The Unresolved Okuama Massacre and Systemic Security Failures

The Okuama Massacre of March 14, 2024, where 17 military personnel on peacekeeping duty were ambushed and killed, remains unresolved. To date, no credible inquiry has been instituted and no accountability enforced. Survivors and displaced families continue to suffer without justice to unmask the armed aggressors who had earlier attack the community. The Governors action has exposed the collapse of leadership and security management within Delta State.

3. Escalating Ethnic Violence in Warri and Beyond

Warri South and neighboring communities have witnessed recurring clashes between Itsekiri, Urhobos and Ijaw residents. Tactics include attacks by armed youths in military camouflage invading Pessu and Ugbori community, Killing one in Pessu Community. The defiance of Supreme Court rulings by the Urhobo and Ijaw Resident, and the Delta state government’s vague appeals for peace, without firm enforcement of judicial orders, have emboldened impunity and worsened insecurity.

4. Threat to National and Economic Assets

Delta State particularly Warri remains central to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy. Persistent instability directly undermines national security, energy supply, and investor confidence. Nigeria cannot afford the destabilization of this region.

Our Call to the Federal Government

Members of Warri Reclamation Thrust, demands urgent federal intervention:

Declare a State of Emergency in Delta State, with immediate federal oversight of governance and security.

Deploy neutral federal security forces to all volatile communities, ensuring impartial protection across ethnic lines.

Constitute a Federal Mediation and Reconciliation Panel, involving Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, judiciary, and security stakeholders, to enforce judicial rulings and resolve disputes.

Secure vital oil and gas infrastructure as a matter of urgent national and economic interest.

Provide humanitarian relief and safe corridors for displaced families and affected communities.

Closing

The Warri Reclamation Thrust remains committed to peace, justice, and lawful reconciliation. But peace cannot be sustained under leadership that places political tenure above human lives.

Nigeria cannot afford to allow Delta State especially Warri to relapse into a new cycle of ethnic violence reminiscent of past Niger Delta crises. The Federal Government must act now to reclaim order, enforce justice, and protect both lives and national assets.

Signed:

Tsaye Edeyibo Mene 

Convener, Warri Reclamation Thrust 

Bright Omaghomi 

Co-Convener, Warri Reclamation 

Misan Momorin

Secretary, Warri Reclamation Thrust

Date: September 20, 2025

×