Dislodge “armed invaders” from Ogidigben, Edegbele tells Governments, says death in the community due to “friendly fire”

The Chairman, Administrative & Development Committee, Ogidigben in Ugborodo Federated Communities, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Tony Edegbele, has called on the Federal and Delta State governments, to dislodge those he described as “armed invaders” from Ogidigben Community.

He demanded the “deployment of neutral, professional security forces to Ogidigben and the other Ugborodo federating communities (Ode-Ugborodo, Ajudaibo, Madangho, ljaghala) to restore peace, prevent further violence, and ensure accountability.”

Mr. Edegbele, who made the demands during a media briefing in Warri, Delta State, Saturday December 27, requested for “independent, transparent investigation into the invasion, property destruction, alleged involvement of political actors, and reported security complicity” as well as “protection for loyal citizens, who uphold the Olu of Warri's traditional authority, without fear of persecution or reprisal.”

Whilst stating that “the people of Ugborodo are Itsekiri, and the Itsekiri Nation is historically and culturally unified under one King, one language, and one traditional authority”, Edegbele added: “Ugborodo Community, in all its federating units, falls unequivocally under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.” 

He, claimed: “On the morning of 20th December 2025, as Ogidigben and other Ugborodo communities gathered at the Olu of Warri's palace to celebrate the legitimate conferment of a chieftaincy title on Captain John Okpeyor Daje, the protest at the Chevron Tank Farm concluded and metastasised into a full-scale assault”, and youths were allegedly mobilized from Warri to purportedly invade Ogidigben.

According to Edegbele, during the purported invasion of Ogidigben on December 20, 2025, “the attack overwhelmed unarmed residents; elders, women, children, and youths-who fled into the bush to survive.

“After forcing residents to evacuate, the attackers seized and occupied Ogidigben, proceeding with systematic destruction. Homes were broken into and looted; personal belongings, cash, household items, and business assets were plundered. Conservative estimates place the losses in the hundreds of millions of naira.

“During the invasion, an Itsekiri man who is not an indigene of any Ugborodo community was killed, likely due to friendly fire. There is a deliberate, coordinated effort to misattribute his death to Ogidigben, which fled and remained unarmed.”

Edegbele, further alleged: “We speak today with an unwavering resolve to defend our people and the integrity of the Nigerian state. This briefing is essential to expose and condemn the brazen, unprovoked aggression against Ogidigben Community on 20th December 2025. What some have euphemistically called a "clash" or "misunderstanding was, in fact, a meticulously planned, well-funded, and barbaric armed assault designed to terrorize a peaceful community for remaining faithful to the Warri Kingdom and the Olu of Warri.”

He, asserted: “Administratively, the Ugborodo federation is governed by the Eghare-Aja, with each constituent community led by an Olare-Aja, supported by its own traditional and administrative structures. The Ugborodo Community Trust, a recognized body, administers the federation's affairs. The people of Ugborodo are Itsekiri, and the Itsekiri Nation remains historically and culturally unified under one King, one language, and one traditional authority. Ugborodo, in all its federating units, remains unequivocally under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.”

Whilst alleging that the current crisis has been engineered by elements intent on coercing Ogidigben and the broader Ugborodo community-into open defiance of the Olu of Warri's sovereign authority, Edegbele, stated that the 13th December 2025 protest at the Chevron Escravos Tank Farm in Ode-Ugborodo, “occurred without consultation or approval from Ugborodo leadership, the Ugborodo Community Trust, or relevant traditional authorities.”

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