PUBLIC STATEMENT ISSUED BY CONCERNED UGBORODO COMMUNITY INDIGENES OVER THE BRUTAL MURDER OF EMIKO ONUWAJE IN OGIDIGBEN COMMUNITY ON DECEMBER 20, 2025

PUBLIC STATEMENT ISSUED BY CONCERNED UGBORODO COMMUNITY INDIGENES OVER THE BRUTAL MURDER OF EMIKO ONUWAJE IN OGIDIGBEN COMMUNITY ON DECEMBER 20, 2025

1. Our attention has been drawn to a purported press conference addressed by some characters in far away Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, over the gruesome murder of an Ugborodo Community indigene, Emiko Onuwaje, who until his brutal murder was a husband, father, brother, friend, and colleague. The text of the said press conference was read by one Tony Ukueyinden Edegbele, who resides in Lagos. Our attention was also brought to the video interview one John Okpeyor Daje granted a certain obscure social medium domiciled in the Ifie axis of Warri.

2. Ordinarily, we would have ignored these characters who made laughable and failed efforts to spin their murderous act against the gentle soul of Emiko Onuwaje by hanging the heinous crime on the necks of well-meaning indigenes of Ogidigben Community and other Ugborodo Community Federated Communities. This is because we know of a fact that the Nigerian Police and other relevant security agencies are on top of this manifest murder case, with not less than eight (8) suspects arrested with live exhibits, and are currently helping the security agencies in their investigations. However, it is pertinent to puncture the ballooned cocktail of lies Tony Edegbele, Okpeyor, and their co-travellers presented in their so-called press conference and video, to unsuspecting members of the public. It is for this reason that we state as follows:

3. If there was indeed an "invasion of Ogidigben Community on 20 December 2025" on the basis of "a premeditated, well-funded, and coordinated armed attack carried out to punish a peaceful community" as claimed by Tony Edegbele and Okpeyor, it was unarguably by the non-indigenes armed criminals and mercenaries Okpeyor and his sponsors stationed in the community to intimidate, harass and beat up Ogidigben Community indigenes and residents who hold contrary opinions to that of Okpeyor, his gang and sponsors. These armed militia and mercenaries have forcefully occupied Ogidigben Community for over two years now, disturbing the peace of the entire Ugborodo Community. 

4. Okpeyor, Edegbele and their co-travellers are doing everything to spin the narrative that Ugborodo Community indigenes who are bent on rightly engaging in peaceful protests against Chevron and Shell/Renaissance companies over their decades of neglect of their host communities (Ugborodo Community Federated Communities) are fighting the Palace of the Olu of Warri. Nothing can be farther from the truth. In fact, most of those involved in the protests literarily sleep and wake up in the Palace of the Olu of Warri. Therefore, this is yet another failed effort by Okpeyo, Edegbele, and their co-travellers to sow seeds of divide and rule in not just Ugborodo Community but in Warri Kingdom!

5. The structure of Ugborodo Community Federated Communities is undoubtedly under the leadership of the Eghare-aja (who currently is Eghare Daniel Uwawah) and other authorities in the Ugborodo Community Council of Elders, like the Ola-Orori, Secretary of the Council, among others. We don't need an Okpeyo or Tony Edegbele to tell us about a structure of over six hundred years old, which they know next to nothing about! Ugborodo Community has always had, and shall continue to have cordial relationship with the Palace of the Olu of Warri, no matter the antics of jokers like John Okpeyor Daje, Tony Edegbele, their co-travellers and sponsors. 

6. All other things these jokers said in their so-called press conference and video-interview, includding metioning names of Chief Ayiri Emami and Honourable (Chief) Thomas Ereyitomi in the most defamatory manner, are poorly written Nollywood script, acted by terrible actors, edited by a neophite, produced and directed by a complete green horn. These are mere deliberate acts to distract unsuspecting members of the from the real issues, which is that Okpeyor, his known foot soldiers  and mercenaries in Ogidigben Community, have been linked to the brutal murder of Emiko Onuwaje. Eight (8) of the suspects have been arrested with live ammunition and they have made confessional statements; singing like birds. 

7. Let us make it clear at this point that no single Ogidigben indigene or legitimate residents were chased out of the community, nor was any act of arson carried out by family of the deceased or the community. This is despite the provocation that came with the brutal murder of Emiko Onuwaje. Everything is under control under the watch of the administrative structures in Ogidigben Community and the larger Ugborodo Community Federated Communities. Only the guilty and indeed killers of Emiko Onuwaje are afraid to step into Ogidigben Community or the large Ugborodo Community Federated Communities. 

8. Finally, let us also make it abundantly clear that we are not unaware of moves being made by some forces in Warri and other places to not only get Okpeyor off the hook but to also destroy the prima facie case against the suspects already in police net. Let us make it manifestly clear that Ogidigben Community shall do everything humanly possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that there is justice for the murdered Emiko Onuwaje. 

SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF CONCERNED UGBORODO INDIGENES:

Alex EYENGHO 

DATED: January 4, 2026

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