Breaking: Violence Erupts As Thugs Disrupt Itsekiri Youth Protest At INEC Headquarters

The protesters, estimated at about 200, had gathered at the INEC headquarters to demand what they described as justice over alleged unfair delineation of the constituency.

The youths, under the banner of Ugbarajo Itsekiri 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.”

During the demonstration, the suspected thugs allegedly descended on the protesters with sticks, destroying placards and scattering the crowd, forcing people in the area to flee for safety.

An INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, alongside journalists covering the scene, reportedly withdrew temporarily as the situation escalated.

Zuru later returned to calm the situation and assured the protesters that their grievances had already been escalated to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for further action.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Itsekiri Youths Worldwide, including Legal Adviser Solomon Ogholaja, National Secretary Laura Oritseweyinmi, and Secretary-General Jakpah Jolomi, vowed to continue their agitation for justice.

They insisted that the group would not relent in its demand for fairness from INEC and the Federal Government regarding the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise.