Tompolo urges calm during Warri delineation protests

High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the Ibe‑Ebidouwei of the Ijaw nation, urged calm and restraint after women and youths began occupying oil and gas facilities in Delta State.

In a statement issued personally on Tuesday night, Ekpemupolo called on all parties to engage in dialogue and avoid violence.

The protests, which started on June 8, involved women and youths from several communities who took control of installations in the Escravos and Warri River areas to protest the ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.

Ekpemupolo said many Nigerians had expressed concern about the situation and that he shared the same view. He noted that the Ijaw people are traditionally peaceful and should not let the current crisis turn violent.

He explained that the dispute stems from worries about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handled the ward delineation process in Warri Federal Constituency.

While acknowledging the right of communities to voice their concerns, he warned that the protest should not be hijacked by those seeking unrest or instability.

He urged all stakeholders to remain calm and emphasized the importance of dialogue to resolve the issues.

Ekpemupolo proposed an urgent meeting of community leaders to discuss the situation and chart a peaceful way forward.

“We must all work together to achieve a peaceful resolution of this impasse,” he said.

The Niger Delta leader also urged INEC to address the concerns surrounding the delineation process and help restore peace in Warri and surrounding communities.

He appealed to residents of Warri Federal Constituency—including the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups—to remain peaceful and patient while awaiting further action from the electoral commission.

Ekpemupolo expressed confidence that a peaceful solution could be achieved through dialogue, understanding and cooperation among all parties involved.