Tension erupted on Monday at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja after suspected thugs attacked protesting Itsekiri youths demonstrating over the disputed Warri federal constituency delineation.
The protest, led by the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, involved about 200 participants who gathered peacefully at the INEC headquarters to demand what they described as fair treatment and justice in the ongoing constituency boundary review affecting Warri in Delta State.
Protest turns chaotic
The youths carried placards with inscriptions such as “INEC must protect indigenous communities,” “Warri federal constituency is not for sale,” “Justice for Itsekiri communities now,” and “Dollars cannot buy our land.”
However, the situation escalated when a group of thugs allegedly hired by unknown individuals stormed the protest ground, disrupting the demonstration and destroying placards.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers used sticks and forcefully dispersed parts of the crowd, causing panic at the INEC premises.
Journalists and officials were also seen scampering for safety as chaos broke out.
Officials intervene
A National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, initially took cover during the unrest but later returned to address the protesters.
He assured them that the matter surrounding the Warri constituency delineation had already been escalated to the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, for further review.
Youth leaders vow action
Legal representatives of the Itsekiri youths, including Solomon Ogholaja, National Secretary Laura Oritseweyinmi, and Secretary-General Jakpah Jolomi, condemned the attack.
They vowed to pursue justice, insisting they were ready to “lay down their lives” to ensure their grievances are addressed by the electoral body and the federal government.
Background tension
The incident adds to growing tensions surrounding the controversial delineation exercise in Warri, an area that has historically witnessed disputes involving local ethnic communities over political representation and electoral boundaries.
INEC is yet to issue an official statement on the violent disruption.
