Fresh tension has broken out in Otonyasere community, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, following alleged attacks that left several homes and shops destroyed. The violence, which occurred in the early hours of September 16, was reportedly carried out by gunmen from Abigborodo community in Warri North, who opened fire indiscriminately and set properties worth millions ablaze.
In response to the devastation, hundreds of Okpe indigenes staged a peaceful protest on September 23. The demonstration, led by Moses Newcome Odiete, National President of the Okpe Youth Council Worldwide, called on government and security agencies to act decisively.
“Okpe will not fold its arms while our people are oppressed,” Odiete declared. He accused the Alema of Warri of masterminding the violence over the disputed Okpe Osobo Forest Reserve, stressing that the land rightfully belongs to the Okpe people. “The boundary between Okpe and Warri North is clearly marked by the bridge, yet they crossed into our territory. They burnt homes, shot at our people, and still allege that I led an invasion into their community. We desire peace, but nobody has a monopoly of violence,” he warned.
Community leaders supported his claims with historical evidence, while victims shared painful accounts of their losses, including houses, shops, motorcycles, and hard-earned savings. Traditional rulers in Sapele also condemned the attacks, accusing the perpetrators of seeking to annex Okpe land through violence, and called for urgent government intervention.
The protesters later marched to the Sapele Local Government Secretariat, where they were received by Felix Abone, Executive Assistant to Chairman Bright Abeke. Abone assured them that the matter was already being addressed at the state level and that a stakeholders’ meeting would soon be convened to prevent further escalation.
