Comrade George Tamaragbabrapa Mulade-Sheriff, a dedicated peace activist and university student, has urged the Delta State government alongside the principal ethnic groups in the Warri federal constituency to urgently address the rising conflicts among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw peoples.
Speaking to reporters in Warri, Delta State, Mulade emphasized the deep-rooted nature of these ethnic disputes, tracing their origins back to both colonial times and the period following Nigeria’s independence. He expressed concern over how arbitrary political maneuvers in recent decades have altered traditional boundaries and disrupted communal interests.
He highlighted the mid-1990s Warri crisis as a significant example, where violent confrontations erupted between the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities over land ownership and control of resources. Despite numerous peace initiatives, these conflicts have continued to flare, often exacerbated by local electoral contests, disputes over resource distribution, and struggles for political dominance.
Mulade further identified disagreements surrounding resource management, land rights, and cultural identity as key drivers fueling the ongoing unrest among these ethnic groups.
Warning of the potentially devastating outcomes if the tensions remain unchecked-including humanitarian emergencies, economic instability, and heightened security risks-he called for immediate, coordinated intervention from both state and federal authorities, as well as traditional leaders, to defuse the situation and foster lasting harmony.
He proposed that sustainable peace could be realized through establishing an inclusive forum for dialogue, implementing equitable power-sharing arrangements, enhancing security protocols, and promoting widespread public education focused on peace-building efforts.
