Gbaramatu Youth Security Council Responds to Fake News of Tompolo Kidnaping Zaghala Youth

BEING A MEMORANDUM PRESENTED BY THE GBARAMATU YOUTH SECURITY COUNCIL AT THE GBARAMATU YOUTH SECURITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING HELD AT ZOU ALA IBA (ZAGHALA) COMMUNITY, GBARAMATU KINGDOM, ON SATURDAY, 1 AUGUST 2026

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, distinguished guests, community leaders, and the general public.

We have gathered today at Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, to express our deep concerns and to place the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; the Nigerian Navy; the National Security Adviser; and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on red alert. We state that the activities of certain persons of Itsekiri extraction may have the potential to fuel a fresh crisis in Warri and parts of the creeks of the Western Niger Delta.

Recall that during the ward delineation protests for justice for the Ijaw and Urhobo peoples of Warri Federal Constituency—an issue that has since been laid to rest by INEC—Mr. Alex Eyengho, an indigene of Gbaramatu from Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community whose maternal roots are in Ugborodo, publicly stated that “tools dey,” which refers to the possession of illegal arms by some Itsekiris to be used against the Ijaw and Urhobo peoples of Warri Federal Constituency. We are aware of allegations linking this claim to individuals associated with the Olu of Itsekiri, His Royal Majesty Atuwatse III, and others in relation to the Major Michael Polo gun-procurement matter, including the estranged former Ologbotsere of Itsekiri, Mr. Ayiri Emami; Mr. Ebosan; and Pastor Michael Diden (also known as Ejele).

We further state that Mr. Alex Eyengho brought loyalists from the Ugborodo Itsekiri Community with the intention of installing them as youth executives in Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, who would be loyal to the Ugborodo Community Trust—an action we consider insulting, provocative, and capable of inciting tension.

Upon learning of the arrival of these individuals, we mobilised our team, apprehended them, and subjected the matter to our internal community disciplinary process. We wish to make it clear that our revered leader, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, need not be drawn into petty matters of this nature, as the youths of Gbaramatu are capable of addressing internal community issues responsibly whenever they arise.

We contend that Mr Alex Eyengho, whom we describe as a protégé of Mr Ayiri Emami, seeks to undermine his paternal heritage in pursuit of the land-grabbing spree of his maternal origin with the help of the illegal arms allegedly procured by the Olu of Itsekiri, His Royal Majesty Atuwatse III; the former Ologbotsere of Itsekiri, Mr Ayiri Emami; Mr Ebosan; and Pastor Michael Diden (also known as Edjele) through the help of Major Michael Polo. While every individual is free to maintain cordial relationships with their maternal community, we reject any assertion that Gbaramatu land falls under the authority or overlordship of any other community simply because some residents trace maternal ancestry elsewhere.

Gbaramatu Kingdom and the entire Escravos waterways remain peaceful today because of the kingdom’s structured leadership and established internal disciplinary mechanisms. In Gbaramatu Kingdom, “we dey beat,” particularly when our territorial integrity is threatened.

Although the people of Gbaramatu are peace-loving, we remain resolute in defending our ancestral land and will not tolerate any attempt to undermine our territorial integrity. We therefore warn Mr Ayiri Emami and his protégé, Mr Alex Eyengho, to stay clear of Gbaramatu territorial space.

The Gbaramatu Youth Security Council will not hesitate to invoke all lawful and appropriate measures within its authority to ensure that no individual or group attempts to impose leadership whose loyalty lies outside our Kingdom.

The status of Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) as a community founded by descendants of Oweizibiri has never been in doubt and was reaffirmed by the leadership of the community during a world press conference held in Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom. That historical position cannot be altered. It is therefore unsurprising that the community is inhabited by people who speak both Ijaw and other languages. The presence of people with different linguistic or ancestral backgrounds does not alter the traditional ownership, historical identity, or administrative affiliation of the community to the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom.

If Mr Alex Eyengho claims that “tools dey,” we maintain that such claims cannot intimidate us into surrendering any part of our ancestral land. While we do not boast of possessing arms, we make it clear that anyone with intentions of encroaching upon Gbaramatu Kingdom and its communities should desist. Else, WE GO CONTINUE TO DEY BEAT FUTURE TRESPASSERS.

We have also observed reports circulated online alleging that our kinsmen kidnapped and tortured Itsekiri youths. We reject these allegations. Such claims are capable of creating unnecessary tension between two neighbouring ethnic groups that have coexisted for generations. The people of Gbaramatu remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and harmonious relations with neighbouring communities. We therefore urge those circulating such allegations to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions in the Niger Delta.

Gbaramatu is a revered and well-organised kingdom with established traditional institutions, customs, and principles governing its communities. Where any individual within our jurisdiction is alleged to have committed an offence or breached established rules, recognised traditional and community mechanisms exist for addressing such matters. We neither encourage lawlessness nor condone criminality. At the same time, we reject attempts to malign the entire Gbaramatu Kingdom through unverified allegations or to create unnecessary conflict with neighbouring communities.

We also maintain that unauthorised activities capable of creating tension or misleading the public regarding the historical and traditional status of Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community should be discouraged. We therefore call on all individuals and groups to exercise restraint and to engage with the recognised traditional and community authorities before undertaking any activities within Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom.

We further state that anyone, including any Itsekiri leader or individual promoting the claim that Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community is not part of Gbaramatu Kingdom, should present such claims openly within the community. The Gbaramatu Youth Security Council is present here today and remains willing to engage in peaceful, fact-based discussions with any individual or group that has genuine concerns regarding the history and status of the community. Historical issues should be addressed through evidence, dialogue, and peaceful engagement, not through social media propaganda or inflammatory publications.

Conclusion

The Gbaramatu Youth Security Council hereby reaffirms that Zou Ala Iba (Zaghala) Community historically originated from Oporoza Community and remains a sub-community under the traditional leadership of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom. We call on members of the public, community leaders, and all stakeholders to disregard narratives intended to distort history or create unnecessary tension. We further urge all parties to embrace peace, mutual respect, and responsible communication.

The Gbaramatu Youth Security Council remains committed to protecting the peace, unity, security, and territorial integrity of Gbaramatu Kingdom while promoting peaceful coexistence with all neighbouring communities.

Thank you.

Signed:

For the Gbaramatu Youth Security Council

AREREBO KINGSLEY .E

PRESIDENT, GYC

CHIEF WURUYAI EBILADE MAXWELL

P.R.O, GYC