Residents of Isheagu community in Aniocha South Local Government Area have staged a peaceful protest, appealing to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the lingering land boundary crisis between Umuoma quarters in Isheagu and the neighboring Ewulu community.
Despite heavy rains, protesters—both young and old—marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “We Need Fairness and Equity,” “Stay Away From Our Ancestral Land,” “Isheagu is Not for Sale,” and “We Reject Land Grabbing Aided by State Government Officials.”
The community is demanding the restoration of what they describe as their original boundary, deployment of security operatives to prevent further aggression, and a renewed commitment from the state government to ensure impartial, fair, and transparent conflict resolution.
Addressing journalists, the Ozoma of Isheagu Kingdom, Chief Austin Modebe, accused the Office of the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution of unilaterally issuing a new boundary that ceded about 80% of the disputed land, including sacred shrines, to Ewulu. He described the move as a “betrayal of confidence, desecration of heritage, and abuse of office.”
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Other community leaders and farmers also condemned what they called land grabbing aided by individuals with political connections. While stressing that Isheagu remains a peace-loving community, they vowed not to allow their ancestral inheritance to be taken away.
The protesters further urged Governor Oborevwori to call to order those allegedly instigating the crisis, warning that such actions could tarnish the governor’s image and undermine his peace-building efforts across the state.
A formal petition has since been submitted to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Government has yet to respond.
