FIC Report (Edo State) – As part of efforts to prevent any breakdown of law and order as a result of the INEC ward delineation exercise in Warri and the need to enhance peace, safety and security in Warri, Delta State, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, psc, conveyed a security meeting with stakeholders from Warri and environs.
According to a Police Press Release on behalf of the Assistant Inspector -General of Police Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin-City AIG. Salman -Dogo Garba, psc , signed by SP. Tijani Momoh, ANIPR PPRO Zone 5, stated that the meeting was held at the Office of the AIG Zone 5 Benin on Thursday 19th June, 2025.
In attendance were the AIG Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG. Salman -Dogo Garba, psc, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Asaba, CP. Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Area Commander Warri, the Local Government Chairmen, Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South, the spokesperson and representative of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the representative from the Palace of the Olu of Warri, representatives of Isaba kingdom, representatives of Itsekiri, representatives of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, representatives of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom, representatives of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, amongst other highly placed figures.
The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda started by saying that following the delineation exercise carried out by INEC in Warri, there has been problems among the three ethnic groups in the area and he had therefore sought the help of the AIG Zone 5 Benin to step in to avoid further escalation and break down of law and order.
The AIG zone 5 Benin, AIG. Salman-Dogo Garba psc, explained that he conveyed the meeting at the Instance of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM and noted that there is no difference between the Ijaws, Itsekiris and the Urhobos and cautioned all of them to avoid any issue that will cause a repeat of the 2003/2004 crisis.
The AIG further appealed to the stakeholders on the need for them to control their youths and prevail on them to refrain from making inciting and inflammatory statements, especially on the social media.
He reiterated that when a life is lost, nobody can bring it back.
Amongst the speakers were the representative of the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, the Rep of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, the rep of Isaba Kingdom, the rep of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, the rep of Gbaramatu kingdom, the three local government chairmen.
All the speakers sued for peace and noted that they do not want a crisis in Warri. They also noted that the delineation exercise carried out by INEC has not been finalised and that INEC has asked all aggrieved parties to study the draft and bring up their complaints, observations and contributions.
The AIG, in conclusion, warned that any further breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated, stressing that the trend of name-calling and social media protest will not be tolerated henceforth. The AIG Zone 5 further cautioned that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
He also warned that no ethnic group should refer to another ethnic group as “CUSTOMARY TENANTS.”
In conclusion, all parties agreed to work towards the peace and security of Warri kingdom as they pledged to call their youths to order and work towards maintaining the existing peace in order to bring back economic prosperity in Warri, Delta State.
Signed
Felix Ijomah
FIC Asaba Delta State
20th June, 2025.
