Press Briefing
Warri Reclamation Thrust
Makes Urgent Call on the Federal Government of Nigeria on the Need for the Declaration of a State of Emergency in Delta State
Date: September 20, 2025
Issued from Warri, Delta State
Introduction
The Warri Reclamation Thrust, a body well known for her strong stance for the obedience and application of the rule of law in all engagement concerning the Itsekiri People and her neighbours as well as with the Government of the day hereby issues this urgent briefing to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Civil Society Organisations, and the International Community, concerning the worsening crisis in Delta State.
This has become necessary given that Warri and its environs have become the epicentre of ethnic violence, Governance failure, and humanitarian displacement, a state characterised with total lawlessness given the break down of law and order, as even the Government of Delta State has been rendered incapacitated given the Government inability to act on the law to nip the situation on the bud.
The situation which at the moment, has now escalated beyond the capacity and political will of the state government to manage responsibly.
Why a State of Emergency is Necessary
1. Incendiary Statement by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State.
On September 19, 2025, the Governor of Delta State declared:
“To Warri people, if you want to fight, fight after 2031. Don’t fight during my time. What do you want me to say? Do you want me to lose votes?”
This statement, unbecoming of a Chief Security Officer, reduces the safety of the lives and properties of citizens of the state to mere political arithmetic. It implies tolerance for violence after the tenure of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and constitutes an abdication of constitutional responsibility under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
2. Escalating Ethnic Violence in Warri and Beyond
Warri South Local Government is witnessing another round of recurring clashes amongst Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw groups, reigniting unresolved hostilities over land ownership crisis of 1997 and 2003 respectively, inspite of well established aged long, landmark judgements up to the supreme court that affirmed Itsekiri as the Landlord’s to the Ijaw and Urhobo groups. In recent twist and new tactics deployed by yet to be identified uniform armed young men in military camouflage attacked and assassinated an Itsekiri young Man by name Dele, in his home at Pessu community an Itsekiri community in Warri South Local Government Area, hosting Itsekiri and none Itsekiri alike.
In a shocking display of recklessness the state government’s vaguely appeals for peace, without firm enforcement of judicial orders which is the foundation of the dispute in Warri, the Governor also fail to seek justice for the slain Itsekiri son in Warri nor did he console with the families of the assassinated this character of nonchalance further displayed by the Governor have emboldened impunity and worsened insecurity.
Recent happenings within Warri South on the issue of land ownership had already claimed a life and several properties have been damaged. This failure to address the issue of boundaries and land ownership by the State government even though well established court judgements has set the template for order, is also responsible for the ongoing hostilities between the Abigborodo community of Warri North and the people of Sapele Local government both in Delta state.
This crisis has remain alive given the failure of the State Government in the application of the rule of law due to the Governor’s silence over the application of report of the panel of inquiry on the ownership status of parties in dispute over the land in dispute, which has also led to destruction of properties, with many injured and the outright destruction of economic activities in area.
While this is unresolved some women and traders along the Warri North River around Sunny Jero were kidnapped with machandise worth over 20 million naira stolen yet the Governor has acted in silence and undisturbed.
3. The Unresolved Okuama Massacre and Systemic Security Failures
We can not forget in a hurry the Okuama Massacre of March 14, 2024, where 17 military personnel on peacekeeping duty were ambushed and killed, which has remained unresolved.
As at the moment of this briefing and to the best our knowledge, no credible inquiry has been instituted and no accountability enforced. Survivors and displaced families continue to suffer without justice, depicting a clear picture of the obvious collapse of leadership and poor security management in Delta State.
4. Threat to National and Economic Assets
Delta State particularly Warri, remains central to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy. Persistent instability directly undermines national security, energy supply, and investor confidence. Nigeria cannot afford the destabilization of this region. And these tensions and developing hostilities left unattended over time or possibly in a short while can snowball into huge interruptions in the continuous flow of oil wealth to the national purse given such sabotage that my arise.
Our Demand and Call to the Federal Government
The Warri Reclamation Thrust Demands Urgent Federal Intervention:
1. Declare a State of Emergency in Delta State, immediately while applying the Federal Government oversight of governance and security.
2. Deploy neutral Federal security forces to all volatile communities, ensuring impartial protection across ethnic lines.
3. Constitute a Federal Mediation and Reconciliation Panel, involving , Itsekiri, Ijaws Urhobo, judiciary, and security stakeholders, to enforce all judicial rulings as far as land ownership is concern in the three Warri Local Government Areas and resolve disputes in accordance with the rule of law.
4. Secure vital oil and gas infrastructure as a matter of urgent national and economic interest.
5. Provide humanitarian relief and safe corridors for displaced families and affected communities.
Conclusion:
The Warri Reclamation Thrust remains committed to peace, justice, and lawful reconciliation. But peace cannot be sustained under leadership that places political tenure above human lives and justice.
Nigeria cannot afford to allow Delta State in particular Warri to relapse into a new cycle of ethnic violence reminiscent of past Niger Delta crises.
The Federal Government must act now to reclaim order, enforce justice, and protect both lives and national assets.
Signed:
Mrs. Tsaye Edeyibo Mene
Convener, Warri Reclamation Thrust and 1st Vice President, Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth
Bright Omaghomi
Co- Convener
Warri Reclamation Thrust
Misan Momorin
Secretary, Warri Reclamation Thrust
Date: September 20, 2025
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