In a bid to forestall any breakdown of law and order stemming from the ongoing INEC ward delineation exercise in Warri, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, psc, on Wednesday convened a high-level security meeting with key stakeholders from Warri and its environs.
The meeting, held at the AIG’s office on June 19, 2025, was prompted by rising tensions following the delineation process and was aimed at reinforcing peace, security, and inter-ethnic harmony in the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State.
Present at the meeting were the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Area Commander Warri, Chairmen of Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West Local Government Areas, as well as representatives from major ethnic kingdoms including Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Okere-Urhobo, Agbarha Warri, and the Palace of the Olu of Warri.
CP Abaniwonda, in his opening remarks, acknowledged the brewing discontent among the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities following the INEC exercise. He said the growing friction necessitated the intervention of AIG Garba to avert a potential escalation reminiscent of the 2003/2004 crisis in the region.
AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, stressed that all ethnic nationalities in Warri are one people and urged stakeholders to focus on unity and development rather than ethnic rivalries. He cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric, particularly on social media, and emphasized the sanctity of human life.
“When a life is lost, nobody can bring it back,” AIG Garba said, as he appealed to leaders to restrain their youths and adopt peaceful means of expressing grievances.
Various traditional representatives, including those from Ogbe-Ijoh, Okere-Urhobo, Isaba, Agbarha Warri, and Gbaramatu Kingdoms, as well as the three local government chairmen, spoke in unison for peace.
They acknowledged that the INEC delineation process remains a draft, and INEC has opened channels for observations and complaints.
They collectively condemned violence and resolved to maintain the prevailing peace in Warri, while urging their communities to await the final outcome of the delineation process through lawful engagement.
AIG Garba issued a stern warning that any further breach of public order would attract swift action, adding that the use of derogatory labels such as “customary tenants” by any ethnic group would no longer be tolerated.
