By Ambrose Ologide
Some soldiers attached to Miller Waterside in the old Nigeria Port Authority ( NPA ) area in Warri South Local Government Area , prevented what could have snowballed into another Warri ethnic crisis on Monday 19th May, 2025.
The cause of the crisis was not immediately known but it was however gathered that it was a clash between Itsekiri and Ijaw youths.
A source alleged that the Itsekiri youths staged a protest against Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) delineation of electoral wards in the Federal Constituency to the area predominantly occupied by the Ijaws .
The source further alleged that the Itsekiri youths have staged a similar protest to other parts of Warri, particularly Warri Urhobo areas such as Okumagba Estate Roundabout among others.
Efforts to reach out to the Executive Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council Hon Isaac Weyinmi Agbateyiniro to comment on the issue was unsuccessful at as the time of filing this report.
However a councillor representing one of the wards in the Urhobo areas in Warri South Local Government Council who do not want his name mentioned in the media, disclosed that Hon Agbateyiniro held a meeting with councillors over the issue where he ( Agbateyiniro)warned against any form of protest in the local area and that the Warri South Local Government Council chairman also advised that residents should guide against actions that are inimical to the peace agenda of Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.
Meanwhile a prominent Ijaw leader Comrade Bere Youkure Mamamu who hails from Ogbe – Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area wrote to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori on the issue in a letter made available to newsmen dated Monday 19th May, 2025.
Mamamu who copied the National Security Adviser, accused the Itsekiris of a drum beat of war in the Warri Federal Constituency on the delineation of wards as he said that the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency was ordered by the Supreme Court in the interest of justice.
‘ Protests are fundamental aspects of democracy but they must be conducted with respect for the rights of others ‘ the letter added
Mamamu in his letter also called on the National Security Adviser to take proactive measures to stop his alleged agenda of the Itsekiris on the issue.
