Fresh Fighting Breaks Out in Warri

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
December 6, 2003
Posted to the web December 6, 2003

Fresh fighting broke out in the riverine communities near Warri yesterday when
Itsekiri youths mobilized and attacked the Ijaws along the Benin River and
allegedly burnt down two Ijaw houses while two persons lost their lives.
However, Operation Restore Hope, the Joint Military Task Force under the
command of Brig. Gen. Elias Zamani reacted swiftly and ordered the deployment
of Air-force helicopters to the scene.
The presence of the helicopters and the threat to open fire on the rampaging
Itsekiri youths was said to have caused fear among the warring youths who were
on the verge of setting another building on fire.
The renewed hostilities might not be unconnected with reported clash between
Itsekiri and Ijaw youths at Ijalla village near Warri Refinery Complex.
Sources who disclosed this to Vanguard yesterday, pointed out that the
Itsekiri's who were heavily armed with rifles and short guns, also armed
themselves with Petrol Bombs with which they set the buildings on fire.
"In fact, from reports we got, the Itsekiri youths caught the Ijaws unawares by
this attack and information going round now is that the Ijaws are mobilizing
for a counter-attack "a source said.
Meanwhile military sources who say they have information that the Ijaws are
planning a fight back, disclosed that the task force will not allow such to
happen.
In this regard, Vanguard gathered that a team of Task Force personnel
comprising the Army, Navy and Mobile Policemen have been mobilized in ten
vehicles and drafted to the riverine communities.
In addition, Mobile policemen and army personnel deployed to Ijaw and Itsekiri
communities before now, have been ordered to procede to the hotspots to prevent
what could blossom into a full scale war.
In fact, sources disclosed that the attack by the Itsekiri on the Ijaw is being
viewed so seriously that members of the National Assembly from both the Ijaw
and the Itsekiri have called on the Joint Task Force to do everything within
its power to prevent the fighting from escalating.
When contacted, commander of Operation Restore Hope, Brig. Gen. Elias Zamani
stated that his office has received reports about the fighting but added that
his men were on the ground to contain the situation.
Only last Wednesday, fresh killings were quickly averted by men of the Nigerian
Navy when youths from both Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups clashed at Ijalla
village near the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company over an alleged
invasion of the Itsekiri village. Although, unconfirmed, youths from both sides
have become restive in recent times which led to an order by the commander of
the task force, Brig. Gen. Elias Zamani to order a 24 hours surveillance in the
city.

   

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