Micah Polo Confronts Ijaw Protesters in Asaba: A Case of Civility and Responsible Leadership

Youths of Ijaw extraction today Wednesday 3rd December, 2025 marched to the Delta State High Court in Asaba in an agitated protest demanding justice in the case involving Major Micah Polo. Carrying boldly inscribed banners “No Secret Trial for Micah Polo” and “We Demand the Re-Arrest of Micah Polo and Others Involved”. The protesters sought transparency and accountability in the ongoing matter. Their presence drew considerable attention, not only for its intensity but also for its agitated conduct.

Earlier in the same court some months again, however, tension flared when a group of unidentified individuals from Asaba reportedly confronted and attacked the same Ijaw protesters. The incident momentarily disrupted the demonstration and heightened ethnic suspicion, with some protesters initially alleging that members of the Itsekiri ethnic group notably Major Micah’s boys were responsible. The uncertainty surrounding the identity of the attackers created an atmosphere of fear and agitation around the court premises on that day.

In a move that surprised many, Major Micah Polo approached the protesters in person today, addressing them directly and calmly. He dispelled the growing rumor that their earlier attackers were Itsekiris, firmly stating that “no Itsekiri person attacked you.” He clarified the misinformation with a disposition that was neither confrontational nor defensive. Declaring himself a man of peace, he told the youths that they had every right to protest and encouraged them to continue, but to do so modestly and lawfully. His tone, measured and reassuring, diffused much of the tension that had built up over the day.

The encounter offered unexpected lessons in civility and leadership. At a moment when emotions were inflamed and narratives were hardening along ethnic lines, Micah Polo’s intervention demonstrated that conflict need not be fueled by suspicion or misinformation. His decision to step forward unarmed with anything but words embedded in civility and peace reflected a level of maturity that is too often missing in moments of national strain. The day ended not in chaos but in reflection, reminding all stakeholders that truth, restraint, and dialogue remain the strongest tools for preserving peace in a fragile society.