The Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) has vowed to resist any alleged attempt by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to allocate Itsekiri land to the Ijaw in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, insisting that the area remains the ancestral homeland of the Itsekiri people.

In a statement signed by its President, Aperrancs Afejuku, the council declared that Itsekiri youths are prepared to defend their heritage and territorial integrity against what they described as attempts to alter the historical and legal status of communities within Warri South.

The council maintained that the Supreme Court had already settled issues relating to the ownership and identity of communities in Warri South. It stressed that there are no Ijaw communities in the local government area.

According to the statement, the Itsekiri youths aren't part of any ongoing negotiations involving government agencies, political leaders, or other groups concerning ward delineation and sharing arrangements in Warri South LGA.

"Whatever the political class and elders are negotiating with any group or government agency doesn't bind us as youths," the statement said. "We wish to remind the government that the youths are the future of the present, and we're ready to defend our collective heritage."

The council urged the relevant authorities to ensure that all decisions regarding ward delineation and electoral boundaries in Warri South are guided by historical facts and judicial pronouncements.

The dispute over ward delineation in Warri South isn't new. The area has long been a flashpoint between Itsekiri and Ijaw communities, with both groups claiming ownership of certain territories. The Supreme Court's previous ruling on the matter has been a key reference point for the Itsekiri, who argue that the judgment is final and binding.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu hasn't publicly commented on the allegations. His office is expected to issue a response in the coming days.

The INYC's statement raises the stakes ahead of any potential government action on ward boundaries in the oil-rich local government area. Any misstep could reignite communal tensions in a region already grappling with security challenges.

Key Facts

  • Warri South LGA is a major oil-producing area in Delta State.
  • The Itsekiri and Ijaw have a long history of land disputes in the region.
  • The Supreme Court has previously ruled on the ownership of communities in Warri South.
  • The INYC says it won't be bound by any negotiation it isn't part of.
  • The NSA's office hasn't yet responded to the allegations.