The Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative has expressed outrage over the alleged inclusion of Ijaw of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State , describing it as a threat to peace and security in the region.
At a press conference held in Otonloye Hall Sapele on monday September 29,2025 the group demanded that the Delta State government and relevant authorities take immediate action to protect the territorial integrity of the Itsekiri people.
Historical Context
The group cited landmark court judgments from 1928, 1956, and 1964, as well as a 2013 ruling by the then Chief Judge of Delta State, Late Hon. Justice Marshall Umukoro, which consistently affirmed the Itsekiri people’s ownership rights over Warri South Local Government Area.
They argued that these judgments are indisputable and cannot be erased by social media propaganda.
Current Provocations
The Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative alleged that the Amakasu of Ogbe-Ijoh and his people have been attempting to create unrest through criminal occupations, attempts, and cultural incursions into areas such as Miller Waterside, Main Market, and Mciaver Market.
They warned that these actions threaten peace, security, and economic stability in Warri South Local Government.
Demands
The group made the following demands:
– Implementation of Court Judgments: The Delta State government and relevant authorities should enforce all court judgments in favor of Warri Kingdom without delay.
– Protection of Territorial Integrity: The government should protect the territorial integrity of the Itsekiri people and prevent further incursions by the Ijaw people.
Also in a related development the group made demands to Chevron over it’s unfair treatment to Itsekiri communities.
– Open Camp Policy for Chevron: The group also called on Chevron to adopt an open camp policy that would lead to economic growth and job opportunities for the local community.
Chevron’s Role in Community Development
The Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative criticized Chevron’s social responsibility record, citing a 10:100 employment ratio that favors non-Itsekiri employees. They accused the company of being “wicked” to its host community and demanded that the company adopt policies that benefit the local community
The group’s president, Mrs. Vivian Eric Mene who signed the statement, emphasized the need for the government and Chevron to take immediate action to address the concerns of the Itsekiri people.
Full text Reads;
PRESS ADDRESS BY VOICE OF WARRI
KINGDOM WOMEN INITIATVIE HELD IN OTONLOYE HALL SAPELE
Distinguished members of the press, ladies and gentlemen. We bring you greeting on behalf of the good people of voice of Warri Kingdom women initiative. We are gathered here today to address a matter of urgent concern, the illegal and provocative inclusion of the ijaw of Ogbe-Ijoh, in Warri South West Local Government Area. This development purposes a great threat to peaceful co-existence and the safety of life and property and the territorial integrity of the Itsekiri people.
The historical and legal position before this time.
The facts are clear and undisputed for nearly a century judiciary pronouncement have consistently affirm that Ogbe-Ijoh have no land ownership right in Warri South Local Government Area. In landmark rulings of 1928, 1956, and 1964 up to the supreme court of Nigeria the Itsekiri people were also declared rightful owners of Warri South Local Government Area. The Ijaws have been perpetually barred from laying claims to this land.
When the matters was re-introduced in 2013 the then Chief Judge of Delta State, Late Hon. Justice Marshall Umukoro, Dismissed it out-rightly, describing it as an attempt to re-litigate or over turn Supreme Court Judgment through the back doors. These are undeniable facts rooted in laws and history which cannot be erased by social media propaganda.
Current provocation
In the recent time, the Amakasu of Ogbe-Ijon and his people, have sought to create unrest. We have witnessed criminal occupations attempts and cultural incursion into areas such as;
1. Miller Waterside
2. Main market
3. Mciaver market
This unlawful attempt to lay force claims couple with the aggressive media propagandas, are deliberate attempt by the Ijaw into Warri South Local Government Area.
Let it be clear this provocative threaten peace, security and economic stability in Warri South Local Government. Not an inch of our ancestral land will be surrender. We remain resolute in defending our heritage and territorial integrity.
Our call
Voice of Warri Kingdom initiative call on the governor of Delta State and all relevant authority to act with courage, integrity and impartiality.
We stand firm, we stand united, we stand ready to defend our land and our heritage.
We further call on the federal government, Governor of Delta State and the Chairmen of the three Warri Local Government to enforce all the Court Judgment in Favour of Warri Kingdom, enough is enough we are law abiding people all judgment must now be implemented without delay.
Chevron and community development.
No crisis in Warri Kingdom anymore we are calling on Chevron management for open camp policies that will lead to Economic growth in our communities.
Voice of Warri Kingdom Women initiative
Tantita and Warri Kingdom.
We the voice of Warri Kingdom women direct Mothers of the land say no to Tantita in Warri Kingdom.
Chevron’s Role In Our Community Undevelopment
Chevron Nig Ltd.
Has not been nice to us
In term of their social responsibility which include employment. The employment ratio which is
10/100 makes it worse. the Management and those in charge – who are predominantly non Itsekiri are so wicked to their host. They employed more of their people and give us slaves jobs with no benefit paying our Fathers ,Brothers and Sisters Peanut… Without increments of salary
In our God given land.
What a wicked act!
We say no to unemployment to our people!
We Call For Open Camp Policy in Chevron
The operations of Chevron could be likened to Rikers Island Prison a prison island in the East River in the Bronx, New York, United States, that contains New York City’s largest jail.
The island is the site of one of the world’s largest correctional institutions and mental institutions, and has been described as New York’s best-known jail. This is how the Management of Chevron have been operating in our land.
Benefit of open camp policy.
Local business opportunities Fewer duplicated camps mean more reliance on community-supplied goods and services (food, water, laundry, transport, entertainment).
Job creation: Camp management (cleaning, catering, security, maintenance) often provides employment for host community members.
Signed,
Mrs Vivian Eric mene
President voice of Warri Kingdom women
