Barely 24 hours after various Okpe groups staged a peaceful protest against the proposed installation of an Itsekiri Ola Raja in Sapele, the controversial ceremony went ahead on Saturday, further heightening tension in the area.
The installation, which Okpe leaders had earlier described as unacceptable and capable of triggering unrest, was conducted despite appeals to security agencies and the local government to halt the process pending wider consultations.
Community sources, however, clarified that the Ola Raja, Pa Gbenebitse Prince David, was not installed as a king, or chief, and wouldn’t exercise authority over the Okpe people.
Rather, he was installed as the oldest Itsekiri man in Sapele, meant to serve as a rallying point for members of the Itsekiri ethnic group resident in the town.
Despite these explanations, the decision to proceed with the installation in the face of open resistance from Okpe groups has deepened mistrust and sustained an atmosphere of unease across Sapele.
Witnesses at the ceremony noted heavy security presence and described a tense but controlled environment.
Some residents, however, pointed to moments of peaceful interaction, particularly between Okpe and Itsekiri women, as evidence that communal coexistence has not completely broken down.
Tension escalated further after the installation amid allegations that security operatives, especially the police, reportedly went after individuals said to have performed traditional rituals during the ceremony.
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Sources claimed that those involved allegedly fled the area, while one person was said to have been arrested.
As at press time, the police could not confirm the alleged arrest or the reported manhunt, as official responses to inquiries remained inconclusive.
The development follows an earlier protest by the Okpe Youth Council Worldwide, Okpe Union, Sapele Okpe Community and other groups, who had marched through the town warning that the installation would not be allowed on what they described as Okpe land.
While no violence was recorded as at press time, residents expressed concern that the decision to proceed with the installation despite public opposition could further strain relations between the two ethnic groups if not urgently addressed.
Community stakeholders are now calling on traditional rulers, government authorities and security agencies to urgently intervene through dialogue, warning that failure to manage the situation carefully could turn the simmering tension in Sapele into a full-blown crisis.
