The President-General of Otor-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Emmanuel Ediri, has called for a thorough probe into a violent incident that allegedly left several persons injured and caused extensive damage to property, urging the state government to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
Key Highlights
- Otor-Ogor President-General calls for a probe into violence that broke out on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- He links the unrest to a protest over a private disagreement involving the Ogor monarch, his wife and the monarch’s uncle, Chief Dennis Aboro.
- Protesters allegedly carried cutlasses, blocked his vehicle, pelted it with stones and attacked his family.
- His younger brother and several others reportedly sustained serious injuries.
- Military personnel intervened; protesters allegedly returned the next morning and damaged his gate.
- He urges the Delta State Government and security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation.
Tobi, who made the appeal while speaking with journalists, called on security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
He alleged that the violence followed a protest linked to a private disagreement involving the traditional ruler of Ogor Kingdom, Okiemute Onajite Igere I, his wife and the monarch’s uncle, Chief Dennis Aboro.
The Otor-Ogor community was engulfed in serious violence on Thursday, October 22, 2026, which led to the destruction of property across the community.
How the dispute began
According to the community leader, he had earlier been approached by the traditional ruler to intervene in the disagreement, prompting him to visit Chief Aboro alongside seven elders, including the community spokesperson, to seek an amicable resolution.
Tobi said the meeting ended peacefully after Chief Aboro reportedly agreed to block the queen’s telephone number to prevent further complaints about the monarch from reaching him.
He explained that he later contacted the traditional ruler to clarify reports that Chief Aboro had stabbed him during a disagreement involving a plasma television.
The president general said the monarch denied being stabbed, explaining that a struggle occurred while he was attempting to carry the television, resulting in damage to the screen and possibly a minor scratch.
Protest turns violent
Tobi maintained that he considered the matter resolved until Thursday evening, when a group of protesters allegedly converged on the community, chanting songs demanding Chief Aboro’s removal and death.
Expressing surprise at the development, he said he had no reason to believe the disagreement would escalate into violence after his intervention and the apparent resolution reached during the meeting.
He alleged that some of the protesters came from neighbouring communities, while others were residents of Otor-Ogor, and that they carried cutlasses and other dangerous objects.
The community leader said he attempted to calm the situation with the assistance of elders but was advised to leave when it became apparent that tensions were escalating.
According to him, the situation worsened when the protesters allegedly blocked his vehicle at a roundabout, pelted it with stones and attacked him and members of his family.
He claimed that his younger brother and several other persons sustained serious injuries, with some requiring medical attention.
Tobi further alleged that the violence resulted in damage to his vehicle, the destruction of streetlights and parts of a beautified roundabout, as well as damage to property at his residence.
He said he reported the incident to the appropriate security authorities, adding that military personnel subsequently intervened and appealed to those involved to maintain peace.
The president general also alleged that the protesters returned to his residence the following morning, where they reportedly damaged his gate and other property.
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Monarch denies instigating protest
On the involvement of the traditional ruler, Tobi said the monarch denied instigating the protest when contacted over the incident.
He insisted that his intervention in the disagreement was solely intended to prevent a breakdown of peace and should not be interpreted as taking sides with any of the parties.
“This is not a matter between the community leadership and the traditional ruler, nor is it a dispute between the community leadership and Chief Aboro. My intervention was purely to ensure peace,” he said.
Tobi appealed to the Delta State Government and relevant security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the incident, determine the extent of the alleged violence and ensure accountability.
He also urged community leaders, youths, women and other residents to resist attempts to inflame tensions, warning that retaliatory actions could expose innocent residents to further danger.
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