National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Peter Chuks, Warri
DELTA: The leadership of Abigborodo Community in Warri North Local Government Area has dismissed allegations by Sapele Okpe Community over land ownership disputes, accusing its leaders of attempting to derail the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 in host communities.
At a press briefing in Abigborodo, the chairman of the Abigborodo Management Committee, Misan Ukubehinje, described claims made by Sapele Okpe’s chairman, Chief Onoriode Temiagin, as “misleading, false, and aimed at inciting public sentiment.”
Sapele Okpe Community had alleged that Abigborodo, through its leader, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, was falsifying documents to reclaim disputed lands, including Ugbekoko. However, Ukubehinje refuted these claims, stating that Abigborodo’s ownership of Ugbekoko predates the creation of Delta State and local governments.
“The allegations of forgery, incitement, and false boundary claims are baseless. Chief Temiagin and his associates are only trying to frustrate due process,” Ukubehinje said.
He also condemned recent violence in the disputed area, including the alleged shooting of an Okpe fisherman, which he described as an attempt to escalate tensions.
“The claim that Abigborodo was behind the shooting is a deliberate falsehood meant to provoke conflict. Instead, we have documented attacks against our people, including Solomon Ayiri and Louis Atunu,” he added.
Abigborodo urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee, led by Chief Edwin Uzor, to continue their investigations without interference.
“What is Chief Temiagin afraid of? The Peace Committee should be allowed to do its job,” the community stated.
The dispute between both communities intensified following the alleged February 3 shooting of an Okpe indigene, Patrick Gageche, in the contested area. While Sapele Okpe blamed Abigborodo for “unprovoked aggression,” Abigborodo maintained that the incident was a ploy to derail the state’s peace efforts.
The community reaffirmed its commitment to legal redress, emphasizing that its claims are backed by historical documents, including colonial-era leases and official government records.
Following a February 5 truce brokered by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abigborodo reiterated its call for restraint and peaceful resolution, urging all parties to respect the government’s position on the disputed land.
