CEPEJ Launches Multi-Stakeholder Peace Dialogue in Warri to De-escalate Ethnic Tensions Among Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo Communities

 


A leading South-South human rights and environmental advocacy organisation, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, convened a high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable dialogue in Warri, Delta State, aimed at reducing recurring tensions and strengthening peaceful coexistence among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

The peace dialogue, held at the King George Hall in Warri South Local Government Area, brought together a broad spectrum of participants including traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, women groups, security agencies, civil society organisations, and residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds living across Delta State.

Communities and groups represented included Okere Urhobo, Itsekiri, Agbarha-Warri, Ogbe-Ijaw, and others. The event also featured delegates from the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba communities resident in Warri and its environs, underscoring the inclusive nature of the initiative.

The two-hour session, themed “Rebuilding Trust, Promoting Unity and Preventing Conflict Through Sustained Engagement”, was moderated by CEPEJ leadership and featured contributions from security and civil society stakeholders. Among those in attendance were:

  • ASP Hezekiah Okpabi (representing ‘B’ Division, Nigeria Police Force, Warri)
  • Prof. Andrew Agboro (Chairman, Delta State Civil Society Organisations)
  • Sylvester Okoh (Chairman, Board of Trustees, Warri Peace Community Support Initiative)
  • ASP Obehi Idiake (Station Officer, ‘A’ Division, Warri)

Delivering the welcome address and overview, CEPEJ National Coordinator and Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, described the dialogue as a continuation of the organisation’s longstanding advocacy for durable peace and stability in Warri and neighbouring communities. “Warri Ijaw and Itsekiri are one. We have lived in peace even before now. Warri is our own, and the essence of peace is to consolidate and strengthen it,” Mulade stated. He commended participants for their openness and commitment, urging continued collaboration to prevent future conflict and foster inclusive development in the oil-rich city.

A keynote address was delivered by Austin Onuoha, Adjunct Faculty member of the National Peace Academy, Abuja. Onuoha called on all ethnic groups to embrace unity and collective responsibility as the bedrock of lasting peace in Warri and the wider Niger Delta. He emphasised the need for proactive dialogue, early warning mechanisms, and joint community projects to address underlying grievances before they escalate.

The most significant outcome of the engagement was the formal inauguration of a 20-member Warri Peace Committee, drawn representatively from the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and other resident communities in Warri. The committee is mandated to:

  • Deepen stakeholder engagement across ethnic lines
  • Sustain structured dialogue on emerging issues
  • Promote peaceful practices and conflict prevention strategies
  • Serve as an early warning and mediation platform for potential flashpoints

The committee is expected to operate for a renewable one-year term, with its mandate scheduled to end on February 24, 2027, unless extended by consensus.

CEPEJ said the initiative aligns with its core mission of promoting environmental justice, human rights and peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta, a region historically prone to inter-ethnic tensions often exacerbated by resource control disputes, land ownership claims, chieftaincy matters and political competition.

Warri has witnessed periodic communal clashes over the years, including disputes over land, markets, political representation and perceived marginalisation. Recent incidents have heightened concerns among residents, traditional institutions and security agencies, prompting calls for structured peace-building platforms.

Participants at Tuesday’s dialogue described the atmosphere as frank yet constructive, with speakers acknowledging past grievances while focusing on practical steps toward reconciliation and shared prosperity. Security operatives present pledged continued support for community-led peace efforts, while civil society leaders committed to monitoring the work of the new peace committee.

The event is seen as a positive step toward institutionalising dialogue in Warri, a commercial hub and multi-ethnic melting pot in Delta State. Stakeholders expressed hope that the newly inaugurated committee would serve as a model for similar initiatives in other flashpoint areas of the Niger Delta.

CEPEJ announced plans to convene follow-up meetings and training sessions for committee members on conflict resolution, mediation techniques and early warning systems. The organisation also called on government agencies, oil companies, traditional rulers and youth groups to support the committee’s work through funding, logistics and active participation.

As the Niger Delta continues to grapple with complex socio-economic and security challenges, initiatives like Tuesday’s roundtable are increasingly viewed as essential tools for preventing escalation, building trust across ethnic lines, and creating the stable environment needed for sustainable development and investment in the region.

Jokpeme Joseph Omode

Jokpeme Joseph Omode is the founder and editor-in-chief of Alexa News Network (Alexa.ng), where he leads with vision, integrity, and a passion for impactful storytelling. With years of experience in journalism and media leadership, Joseph has positioned Alexa News Nigeria as a trusted platform for credible and timely reporting. He oversees the editorial strategy, guiding a dynamic team of reporters and content creators to deliver stories that inform, empower, and inspire. His leadership emphasizes accuracy, fairness, and innovation, ensuring that the platform thrives in today’s fast-changing digital landscape. Under his direction, Alexa News Network has become a strong voice on governance, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Joseph is deeply committed to using journalism as a tool for accountability and progress, while also mentoring young journalists and nurturing new talent. Through his work, he continues to strengthen public trust and amplify voices that shape a better future. Joseph Omode is a multifaceted professional with over a decade years of diverse experience spanning media, brand strategy and development.

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