Press Statement
Warri, Delta State | October 2, 2025
Call for Restraint and Justice: Itsekiri Youth Elites(IYE) Condemns Incitement, Demand Probe of Chief Joe Omene’s Remarks
The leadership of Itsekiri Youth Elites (IYE) have expressed grave concern over recent inflammatory comments credited to Chief Joe Omene a former Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) President, describing them as reckless, divisive, and a potential threat to the fragile peace in Warri and its environs. At a time when emotions are raw following the tragic death of Mr. Jerry, Mr. Dele and a lot of injured victims, such utterances, especially from individuals who carry the moral burden of elder statesmanship; ought to reflect sobriety, not fan the embers of ethnic discord and tribal crisis.
It is profoundly disheartening and totally unacceptable that a figure of Chief Omene’s stature would resort to public calls for ethnic mobilisation against the Itsekiri people, particularly when he neither resides in the affected communities of Warri, nor holds recognised customary authority in Warri. His comments, couched in dangerous generalisations, distort the complexity of the incident and risk deepening distrust among neighbouring ethnic groups. Historically, the Itsekiri have shown restraint even in the face of provocation and systemic marginalisation and oppression within Delta Central. Silence, however, should never be mistaken for weakness.
Reports reaching IYE indicates that the initial altercations on the day of the incident were not instigated by Itsekiri communities, but were rather internal conflicts among non-Itsekiri groups, with security threats reportedly escalating. Against this backdrop, Chief Omene’s remarks appear not only ill-informed but also deliberately incendiary. For clarity, there is no traditional entity known as “Odion Urhobo.” Odion is a distinct community whose land and boundary matters must be resolved through lawful and customary frameworks, not through inciting public hysteria.
In the interest of peace and justice, the Itsekiri Youth Elites call on the Delta State Government and Security agencies to urgently investigate Chief Omene’s public statements and the context in which they were made. If found to constitute incitement or to have contributed to rising tensions, the appropriate legal channels must be activated. Furthermore, we demand a thorough, transparent investigation into the death of Mr. Jerry, Mr Dele and related incidents, as well as the immediate deployment of security measures to protect all affected communities in the Warri axis.
We conclude with a sincere appeal to traditional leaders, political actors, youth organisations, and civil society across Urhobo, Itsekiri and other ethnic nationalities to rise above parochial interests. Now is the time to de-escalate tensions, embrace truth and justice; and engage in genuine reconciliation. The preservation of peace, the sanctity of life, and the pursuit of justice must remain our shared priority.
Signed:
Lily-White O. Esigbone
President IYE
Eboma Tuoyo Michael
Secretary IYE
Toju Ogharanduku
PRO IYE
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