A tense atmosphere gripped residents of Sido Street in Warri South Local Government Area last weekend, following a violent inter-community conflict that resulted in a building being set ablaze.
The incident, which occurred around 8 p.m., is believed to have stemmed from a dispute between Itsekiri youth and the Urhobo local community.
Eyewitnesses reported that a group of Itsekiri youth allegedly set fire to the building after a misunderstanding from the previous day escalated into violence. The confrontation reportedly began on Saturday when some Itsekiri youths removed a poster of an Urhobo traditional ruler, an act that was perceived as disrespectful by members of the host community. What initially appeared to be a minor disagreement quickly turned into a physical altercation.
According to Mr. Daniel Ejeaba, a resident of the affected area, the removal of the king’s poster was seen as a provocation. “They came into our area and pulled down a king’s poster. That act led to a scuffle on Saturday. By Sunday, things got worse when one of the Itsekiri youths was seriously beaten. That must have triggered the retaliatory attack that led to the building being burnt,” he said.
Although no fatalities were recorded, one individual sustained serious injury during the clash, raising concerns about the potential for further violence if the root causes of the tension were not addressed.
Speaking on the matter, Emiko Cheke, a youth from the Itsekiri community, confirmed the sequence of events. He expressed dismay at the recurring clashes among community youths, particularly over issues such as territorial control and the controversial collection of illegal fines, known locally as “deve.”
“I believe the government needs to intervene decisively,” Cheke said. “There should be a ban on youth groups engaging in these so-called street duties and the collection of deve. These are the kinds of activities that stir up ethnic tensions and lead to conflicts like this,” he said.
