There was palpable tension in the city of Warri on Tuesday as some youths believed to be from Ijaw ethnic nationality shutdown Ogbe-Ijoh market in Warri South Local Government Area and clashed with their counterparts from Agbarah-Warri Kingdom over who should collect revenue from traders.
As at the time of filing this report, there were sporadic gunshots as traders were locked outside the market gate by suspected Ijaw youths while commercial banks and even courts in the area resorted to skeletal operation.
DAILY POST gathered that except Ijaw natives, no Urhobo indigene was allowed to enter the market as both the front and back gates into the market were under lock.
Some shops along the popular Warri-Sapele road were forced to close as the youths allegedly stole their wares while parents were seen withdrawing their children from school for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
Though it is still unclear if there are casualties as a result of the sporadic shootings, information from some quarters have it that the shootout may not be unconnected with demands by some youths in the market to collect revenue from traders, most of whom are determined not to pay to the youths.
Some respondents, who spoke to our correspondent, said the crisis between the youths is as a result of an alleged court judgement over the disputed land where the Ogbe-Ijoh market is situated, in favour of Agbassa Community in Agbarha-Warri Kingdom.
The case, which has lingered was said to have been brought to a conclusion yesterday by the court, in the aftermath of which aggrieved youths from Ogbe-Ijoh decided to take to arms as they vowed not to vacate the market land.
DAILY POST can also report that soldiers and men of the Anti-Crime Patrol from the “A” Division, on the orders of the Area Commander , ACP Muhammed Mu’azu in Warri, stormed the area at about 9:33 am and have brought the tension under control.
The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Mofe Matthew Edema, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, assured residents that the area is calm, saying, “I am aware of the matter. I am in a security meeting.”
A prominent Agbraha-Warri Leader, Chief Israel Abido could not be reached as calls put across to his mobile phone line could not sail through.
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