The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning against the rising trend of name-calling and social media protests related to the ongoing ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The warning was conveyed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, during a high-level security meeting with stakeholders from Warri and its environs, held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Zone 5 headquarters in Benin City, Edo State.
Present at the meeting were the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda; Warri Area Commander; chairmen of Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West local governments; and representatives of several ethnic and traditional groups, including Gbaramatu, Isaba, Itsekiri, Okere-Urhobo, Ogbe-Ijoh, and Agbarha Warri Kingdoms.
AIG Garba emphasised that any further breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated, warning that violators will be arrested and prosecuted. He specifically cautioned against the use of derogatory terms such as “customary tenants” when referring to other ethnic groups, stating there is no distinction in status between the Ijaws, Itsekiris, and Urhobos.
The AIG further urged stakeholders to rein in their youths and avoid inflammatory or inciting statements, especially on social media. “A life lost cannot be brought back,” he warned.
Representatives from the various kingdoms, local government chairmen, and other speakers at the meeting unanimously called for peace, stressing that they do not want a repeat of the 2003/2004 crisis in Warri. They acknowledged that the INEC delineation is still in draft form and that the commission has invited feedback from all stakeholders.
In a joint commitment, the stakeholders pledged to maintain peace, control their youths, and collaborate towards sustaining security and fostering economic prosperity in Warri and Delta State at large.
