The Indigenous People of Okere community in Warri South Local Government Area have raised concerns over what they described as renewed “illegal and provocative incursions” by Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh and Warri South-West into Itsekiri territories.
In a press address issued in Warri, the community alleged that Ijaw groups have recently embarked on criminal occupations and cultural incursions into areas such as Miller Waterside, Main Market, and McIver Market. According to the statement, these actions are part of attempts to extend Ijaw influence illegally into Warri South.
The Okere people noted that historical and judicial rulings have consistently affirmed that the Ijaws have no land ownership rights in Warri. They cited landmark Supreme Court judgments of 1928, 1956, and 1964, which declared the Itsekiri as the rightful owners of Warri lands. They further recalled that in 2013, the then Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Marshall Umukoro, dismissed a renewed attempt by the Ijaws to lay claim to Warri land, describing it as a re-litigation of a settled matter.
“These undeniable facts, rooted in law and history, cannot be erased by propaganda, cultural rites, or forceful occupation,” the community stated.
While condemning the alleged provocations, the Okere people warned that such actions threaten peace, security, and economic stability in Warri South. They vowed not to surrender any part of their ancestral land, stressing their resolve to defend their heritage and territorial integrity.
The community also expressed disappointment over a recent public statement credited to the Governor of Delta State, suggesting that true peace may not be achieved in Warri until 2031. According to them, peace cannot be postponed but must be built on justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law.
They therefore called on the Delta State Government and relevant authorities to act decisively with courage, integrity, and impartiality to halt the alleged incursions, protect residents, and uphold the rule of law.
“We stand firm. We stand united. We stand ready to defend our land and our heritage,” the statement concluded
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