The Okere community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State is urging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to uphold the rule of law in resolving a land dispute with the Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh. They claim that the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh are illegally encroaching on Okere land, threatening peaceful coexistence and territorial integrity.
The Okere community asserts ownership of areas including Old and New Port of NPA, G.R.A, Post Office, and Catholic Church, which they claim have been subject to “criminal occupations and cultural incursions” by some Ijaws.
“Delta State government is not encouraging peace. I said so, because they (the occupants of Miller Waterside) were settled, for them to go back to where they came from. That was why Delta State Government bought Chief Mabiaku’s Estate and took over the entire area, including the Central Hospital, Custom House, old Post Office, Marine Police area and Miller Brothers’ Road, where they are erroneously calling Tunde Smooth Road. The entire area called Old and New Port of NPA, G.R.A, Post Office and Catholic Church, belong to Okere Community,”
“We have seen criminal occupations and cultural incursions into areas such as Miller Waterside, Main Market, and Mciver Market, where some Ijaws, attempt to lay false claims. These actions, coupled with aggressive media propaganda, are deliberate attempts to extend Ijaw influence illegally into Warri South.Not an inch of our ancestral land will be surrendered. We are resolute in defending our heritage and territorial integrity.” Okere People maintained.
The community cites landmark court rulings from 1928, 1956, and 1964 that affirmed the Itsekiri people’s ownership rights over Warri lands, with the Ijaws being perpetually barred from laying claim.
The Okere community is resolute in defending their heritage and territorial integrity, with their spokesman, David Eyitemi Oki, calling on Governor Oborevwori to act with courage, integrity, and impartiality.
The community maintains that anything less than upholding the rule of law would be “complicity in the erosion of justice and peace”.
