Armed security personnel allegedly from neighbouring Ilajes of Ondo State have invaded Ebokiti Community in Warri North local government area of Delta state.
The development may not be unconnected to the boundary dispute between both states as armed personnel, according to source, arrived in the community with a gunboat, creating panic among residents.
Heavy security presence was said to heightened tension in the community, with some residents relocating temporarily to neighbouring communities for fear of possible confrontation.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called on the federal and Delta State governments to immediately intervene, to prevent the situation from turning into a full blown crisis.
Itsekiri leaders from Ugbege, Ebokiti, Ekekporo and Ototo communities declared that they would not surrender their ancestral land to unknown invaders
The leaders: Dr. Emmanuel Ikomi ; Ugbege Community, Tosan Odume; Ebokiti Community, Oritseminomi Madamedon; Ekekporo Community and Kehinde Titiola; Ototo Community, said the invaders, who stormed Ebokiti Community on Friday, included security personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Ondo State Amotekun Corps.
In a joint statement, the Itsekiri leaders commended the federal and Delta State governments for their swift intervention in similar dispute over Aja-Ebighan community.
According to them, intervention of the federal and Delta State governments, stopped projects allegedly being undertaken by the Ondo state government in the disputed area.
They commended both governments for coming to their aid, saying the intervention prevented what could have developed into a full-blown inter-state crisis, with grave consequences for lives and property.
The community leaders, said they were deeply concerned over the development in Ebokiti, alleging that
“The invasion of Ebokiti could be an attempt by the Ilajes, backed by Ondo state government, to extend territorial claim to another Itsekiri community, urging the federal government to act swiftly before the situation degenerates.
“The federal, Delta State and the Ondo State governments particularly Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, should call all parties and security personnel to order in the interest of peace.
“Continued deployment of heavily armed/mask personnel by Ondo state government to the affected itsekiri communities could create unnecessary tension and undermine the longstanding peaceful relationship among neighbouring communities.
“Why the concentration of security operations in Itsekiri communities. Our ancestral lands should not become the subject of force or intimidation.
“Aja-Ebighan is a gazetted community within Warri North LGA of Delta state. Its status and territorial boundaries must be determined through lawful and constitutional processes” the leaders posited.
They urged people of the affected communities to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing optimism that the dispute would be resolved through dialogue, constitutional processes and the courts, rather than through the deployment of armed personnel.
