The secretary to the Delta state government, Ovuozorie Macaulay has announced the government’s decision to restrict certain activities in Warri North Local Government area of the state.
This, according to him, is in order to curb the recent spate of inter-tribal clashes.
Mr Macaulay made this known after an emergency state security council meeting in Asaba.
Macaulay, who was flanked by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba and heads of different security agencies in the state, observed that the security council which was chaired by the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan decried the present skirmishes being witnessed in some communities in Warri North Local Government area and commiserated with affected victims and families.
He however appealed for calm as security agencies are on top of the situation and they should be allowed to do their work.
Macaulay further pointed out that the state “notes with regret the recent happenings in Warri North local government area within the last few days and wish to commiserate with victims and affected families. Security operatives are however in control of the situation and they should be allowed to do their duties. People should be calm and go about their normal duties”.
He announced the decision of the state government to place a ban on speed boats on the water ways from 6pm to 7am, while banning in totality the use of motor boats with two horse powers and above in the region.
Mr Macaulay also made it known that activities of various youth associations should be suspended in the region to prevent youths from gathering for nefarious activities, but he encourages honest residents to go about their businesses as security agents have been deployed to maintain law and order in the region.
Meanwhile, the former secretary of the Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri, has called for calm among the two tribes in the region.
The youth leader wants “brotherly love to continue among the Itsekiris and the Ijaws after living in peace since 2003. He is also seeking a peaceful resolution of the crisis”.
According to a March 1997 Africa Research Bulletin Report, the conflict between the Itsekiri and the Ijaw people dates back to 1997 when the headquarters of the newly-created Warri South West Local Government Area was relocated to a rival town Ogidigbein of the Itsekiri community from Ogbe-Ijoh.
Reports had it then that three members of the Ijaw tribe were killed in rioting, and the home of former Information Minister, and foremost Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark destroyed in a fire believed to have been the handiwork of arsonists.
The recent row was caused by an alleged attack on Ugborodo, an Itsekiri community in the state.
