The Nigerian Army has deployed troops to the feuding coastal communities of Ugborodo and Ogidigben in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State to restore order following a weekend of violent unrest.
The intervention, spearheaded by the 63 Brigade/Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force (Operation Delta Safe), comes after reports of a killing and reprisal attacks that threatened to plunge the oil-rich axis into a prolonged crisis.
The tension reportedly reached a breaking point last weekend when Emiko Onuwaje was attacked and killed along a road in Ogidigben. News of the murder sparked immediate outrage, leading to further violence within the communities.
Hours after the killing, angry youths set fire to the residence of Capt. John Deja Okpeyor. The arson occurred on the same day Okpeyor was installed as a chief of the Warri Kingdom. Reports suggest the violence is tied to a bitter leadership tussle among the local youth, which has seen opposing factions mobilize for confrontation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, confirmed that the situation has since been brought under control.
The military warned that it would no longer tolerate “allegations and counter-allegations” being used as a pretext to extend the hostilities. “The Brigade’s attention had been drawn to the allegations… with a sinister motive to prolong the crisis,” Bawa-Rijau stated. “Accordingly, troops have been deployed and the situation has been brought under control effectively.”
Security has been heavily reinforced across both communities to prevent a resurgence of lawlessness. The Army has urged all parties to desist from further violence, emphasizing that the primary goal of the deployment is the peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Residents are encouraged to remain calm as the Joint Task Force maintains its presence to ensure the safety of lives and property in the coastal region.
