Renewed Ijaw–Itsekiri Tensions Spark Violence in Warri as Gunfire Erupts, Casualties Reported
Story: written by Uzuh Rita September 17,2025
Warri, Delta State — A fragile peace was shattered on Tuesday evening in Warri when renewed hostilities between Ijaw and Itsekiri youths spiraled into violence, leaving at least one person feared dead and many residents fleeing for safety.
The latest clash erupted amid rising mistrust between the two ethnic groups. By nightfall, gunfire echoed through parts of the oil-rich city, forcing families to abandon their homes in search of refuge. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as frightened residents scampered through the streets, while security forces were notably absent in the early hours of the unrest.
Ijaw youths alleged that the victim of the shooting was one of their own and accused Itsekiri youths of carrying out the attack. Their anger, however, had already been brewing. Earlier in the day, the Ijaw community staged a protest at the Warri Area Command after police reportedly dismantled billboards marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Monbene III. The billboards, placed at strategic points in the city, were seen as cultural symbols of pride — their removal inflaming already fragile relations.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, however, dismissed reports of a fatality. Speaking to journalists, he confirmed that while one person sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment, no lives were lost.
In response to the escalating crisis, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to Warri to prevent further violence. He also appealed to community leaders from both Ijaw and Itsekiri groups to rein in their youths and embrace dialogue.
“This is a time for restraint, not confrontation,” the Commissioner urged. “We call on both sides to respect the law and prioritize peace.”
The Warri crisis once again highlights the fragile nature of inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where disputes over land, resources, and identity often erupt into violence. While security agents race to restore order, residents remain gripped by fear, uncertain of what the next day may bring.
