Neither Tompolo, nor short-sighted individuals can reverse resolution of Ijaghala Congress - Eyengho

Prominent indigene of Ijaghaja in Ugborodo Federated Communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area, Alex Oritsegbeyiwa Eyengho, says neither High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) “nor a handful of short-sighted individuals” can reverse or override a valid resolution of the 2026 Ijaghala Annual Congress held January 4, 2026, which duly constituted an Interim Ijaghala Community Management Committee, ICMC, to serve the community until the next congress on January 4, 2027.  

According to Eyengho, Mr. Monday Oritsedunmi, Mr. Ojonbor Okoturo and a few others, “acting without the mandate or authority of Ijaghala Community and its key stakeholders, succumbed to the antics of Tompolo” purportedly convened and announced “Ijaghala Community Management Committee (ICMC) with self-appointed executives.”

Eyengho, in an electronic statement made available to Fresh Angle International, Tuesday September 1, said that the people of Ijaghala and Kantu currently live in fear of attack, with some of them “marked for elimination simply for demanding justice, equity, and fair play.”

The statement, reads; “My name is Alex Oritsegbeyiwa EYENGHO. I am an indigene of Ijaghala and Kantu communities in Warri South-West LGA, Delta State and one of the recognized leaders of Ijaghala Community.

“It is common knowledge that *Mr. Government Ekpemupolo* (popularly known as Tompolo*) and elements of the *Gbaramatu-Ijaw* have consistently laid false claims to the ownership of Ijaghala and Kantu communities.

“They have also made deliberate and sustained efforts to physically take over these two autonomous communities through a combination of intimidation, coercion, and subterfuge — all aimed at subjugating indigenes and making them feel like conquered people in their ancestral homeland.

“For the record:  

1.  *Ijaghala land* is historically and legally owned by *Ugborodo Community*.  

2.  *Kantu land* is historically and legally owned by *Omadino Community*.  

Indigenes of Ijaghala and Kantu are paternally of Ijaw and Itsekiri descent.  

“A major source of fear for residents of both communities is that they are surrounded by Gbaramatu-Ijaw settlements under the leadership of Tompolo, a former Niger Delta militant, who surrendered to the Federal Government of Nigeria and was granted conditional amnesty.

“*On the purported ICMC:*  

Reliable reports reaching me indicate that *Mr. Monday Oritsedunmi*, *Mr. Ojonbor Okoturo*, and a few others, acting without the mandate or authority of Ijaghala Community and its key stakeholders, succumbed to the antics of Tompolo. Days ago, they purportedly convened and announced a so-called *“Ijaghala Community Management Committee (ICMC)”* with self-appointed executives.

“To be clear, that action is *Dead On Arrival (DOA)*. It is an attempt to build something on nothing. I will not label those involved as betrayers, but they are clearly victims of Tompolo’s “stick and carrot” approach — with some driven by personal greed and the hope of a share of the “Tantita cake.”

“The truth is this: At the *2026 Ijaghala Annual Congress*, held on *January 4th, 2026* as statutorily required, the community duly constituted an *Interim ICMC* to serve until the next congress on *January 4th, 2027*.  

“Any other gathering convened outside the statutory *“Ijaghala Day/Congress”* is nothing more than a social meeting of some indigenes and residents. Neither Tompolo nor a handful of short-sighted individuals can reverse or override a valid resolution of the January 4th, 2026 Congress.

“*Appeal for Protection:*  

I use this opportunity to once again appeal to the *Delta State Government*, the *Federal Government of Nigeria*, *security agencies*, and all relevant domestic and international bodies to urgently intervene and protect the lives and property of the people of Ijaghala and Kantu communities against the manifest aggression of Tompolo and his Gbaramatu-Ijaw associates.

“For context, it was this same group that devastated Ijaghala Community during the infamous *Warri Crisis of 1998–2005*.  

More recently, in *August 2026*, three Ijaghala Community youth executives were abducted from the community by armed Gbaramatu-Ijaw militants and taken to *Oporoza* to meet Tompolo. They were beaten, stripped, brutalized, dehumanized, and detained in a private cell for over 36 hours. They were only released after the incident was escalated in the mass media. The matter is currently under police investigation.

“This reign of oppression by force of arms must not continue. The primary duty of government at all levels is to protect the lives and property of citizens. The people of Ijaghala and Kantu currently live in fear of attack. Some of us have been marked for elimination simply for demanding justice, equity, and fair play.

“But I am neither perturbed nor deterred. I will not yield to scare tactics by staying away from my community. I shall continue to visit Ijaghala and Kantu communities whenever necessary.

“Let it be known: *Ijaghala Community is not under Oporoza Community, and vice versa. The same applies to Kantu Community.*

“Thank you, and God bless.

“*SIGNED:*  

*Alex Oritsegbeyiwa EYENGHO*  

“*Dated this 1st day of September, 2026*  

*Warri, Delta State*”

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