Many Displaced As Tension Escalates In Ijaw, Urhobo Clash

Many residents in Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri Southwest Local Governments of Delta State have been displaced following last week’s clashes between the Urhobo and Ijaw.

It was gathered that although normalcy seemed to have returned, many deserted the areas because of fear of reprisals.


There were claims of looting and vandalism.

Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri Southwest, was attacked last week by irate youths from Aladja.

They allegedly cut power supply to the town by felling three high tension poles. Traffic in and out of the town remained at its lowest ebb.

A source, who spoke in confidence for security reasons, said: “Most of the people who left are yet to return; people want to be assured that their lives and property are safe before coming back home.

“We still live in fear because the only road leading to Ogbe-Ijoh passes through Aladja. Although the road has not been opened, people are scared of what may befall them. So, what we do is to move in groups.”

Despite the heavy military presence in both communities, it was gathered that homes of Ijaw indigenes in Aladja and neighbouring Urhobo towns were being plundered by suspected hoodlums.

The First Vice President of Aladja, Pastor Kingsley Abala, told our reporter on phone that the violence followed the perceived inaction of the state government on the boundary dispute.

He said: “They (the state government) should demarcate the boundary.”

Abala called for continued military presence, adding: “The military should not leave us (warring communities) alone now. It is their presence that has ensured peace.”

Also, it was gathered at Aladja that the fear of reprisal attacks still pervade the Urhobo neighbourhoods, especially near Ogbe-Ijoh.

Many believed the state government is not doing enough to resolve these communal clashes.

“There is no need to start setting up any committee; a commission of enquiry set up long ago has turned in its report. What is left now is for the implementation of the White Paper, which emanated from that committee.

“The document recommended the creation of a green (buffer) zone. Why can’t the state government expedite action on this, instead of waiting for the next round of killing, to begin another round of motion without movement?” a source conceded.