…accuses Ifie-Kporo youths of attack, demands urgent search for missing youth
The Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) has reported an attack at Makaraba Field in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, saying several youths sustained injuries while one, identified as Okpoye Simeon, remains missing.
In a statement signed by its President, Kingsley Arerebo; Public Relations Officer, Wuruyai Maxwell Ebilade; and Secretary, Erike Tarike Raphael, the council accused youths purportedly from Ifie-Kporo community of carrying out the attack on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The council alleged that the group entered the field at approximately 10 a.m., obstructed creek access and attacked Gbaramatu youths during a protest.
“The Council views this incident, carried out under the guise of a protest, as a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of Gbaramatu Kingdom,” the statement read.
“At approximately 10:00 a.m. on 20 October 2026, a large group of youths from Ifie-kporo community invaded Makaraba Field, obstructed the creek access leading to the community, and attacked Gbaramatu youths.”
The GYC said the reported disappearance of Simeon and injuries sustained by others required urgent intervention by security agencies.
“The Council considers these extremely serious and calls for an immediate, impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, locate the missing persons, and bring anyone found responsible to justice,” it stated.
The council also referenced a reported attack on Akpata community in May 2025, expressing concern about the implications of recurring incidents for relations between neighbouring communities.
“It is particularly troubling that this incident comes against the backdrop of the reported attack on Akpata community in Gbaramatu Kingdom on 24 May 2025, allegedly involving some Itsekiri youths. The Council is concerned that repeated incidents of this nature could undermine the fragile peace in the area and escalate tensions between neighbouring communities,” the statement said.
On the operations of Makaraba Field, the council maintained that the facility had operated for decades without any known litigation involving Ifie-Kporo community.
“That Makaraba Field has existed and operated for decades without any known litigation involving Ifie-kporo community. The field’s operations have historically had no dealings with Ifie-kporo community. We therefore reject any attempt to use force, intimidation, or unlawful entry to interfere with activities at the oil field,” it stated.
The GYC demanded immediate action to establish the whereabouts of the missing youth and urged community leaders and relevant parties to cooperate with security agencies.
“We demand urgent and decisive action to establish the whereabouts of the Gbaramatu youths reportedly missing following the incident. All relevant parties, community leaders, and security agencies must cooperate fully in the search to ensure that the missing youth is found, whether alive or otherwise, and that their families receive the truth about their whereabouts. The safety of every missing person must remain the immediate priority,” it said.
Although the statement referred to missing persons in some passages, it identified only one missing youth, Okpoye Simeon.
The council warned against further incursions into the field, stating: “Any further unlawful entry, intimidation, or attacks by youths from Ifie-kporo or any other group without legitimate involvement in the operations of Makaraba Field will be fiercely repelled by the Gbaramatu Youths Security Council.”
It appealed to the Delta State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident, assist the injured and facilitate the recovery of the missing youth.
“The Gbaramatu Youth Council calls on the Delta State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Army, Navy, DSS and all relevant security agencies to urgently intervene, investigate the reported incident, facilitate the safe recovery of the missing youth, provide necessary assistance to the injured, and ensure that those found culpable are held accountable under the law,” the statement read.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence but said the reported attacks and threats to community safety could not be ignored.
“Gbaramatu people are peace-loving and law-abiding. We remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the preservation of stability among communities in Delta State.
“However, our commitment to peace must not be mistaken for weakness or an unwillingness to protect our people. The continued occurrence of these attacks, unlawful entry, and threats to the safety of our communities cannot be ignored.
“We therefore issue this stern warning against all acts of trespassing, intimidation, and violence against Gbaramatu communities,” it concluded.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
GBARAMATU YOUTH COUNCIL (GYC) ISSUES STERN WARNING OVER TRESPASSING AND ATTACK ON MAKARABA FIELD, GBARAMATU KINGDOM
The Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC), the apex youth body of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, expresses its deep concern and unequivocally condemn the invasion of Makaraba Field in Gbaramatu Kingdom by youths purportedly from Ifie-kporo community on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
The Council views this incident, carried out under the guise of a protest, as a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on 20 October 2026, a large group of youths from Ifie-kporo community invaded Makaraba Field, obstructed the creek access leading to the community, and attacked Gbaramatu youths. The reported incident has raised grave concerns, with One Gbaramatu youth said to be missing identifie as okpoye simeon and several others reportedly sustaining injuries.
The Council considers these extremely serious and calls for an immediate, impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, locate the missing persons, and bring anyone found responsible to justice.
It is particularly troubling that this incident comes against the backdrop of the reported attack on Akpata community in Gbaramatu Kingdom on 24 May 2025, allegedly involving some Itsekiri youths. The Council is concerned that repeated incidents of this nature could undermine the fragile peace in the area and escalate tensions between neighbouring communities.
ON this Note we want to categorically state
- That Makaraba Field has existed and operated for decades without any known litigation involving Ifie-kporo community. the field’s operations have historically had no dealings with Ifie-kporo community. We therefore reject any attempt to use force, intimidation, or unlawful entry to interfere with activities at the oil field.
- We demand urgent and decisive action to establish the whereabouts of the Gbaramatu youths reportedly missing following the incident. All relevant parties, community leaders, and security agencies must cooperate fully in the search to ensure that the missing youth is found, whether alive or otherwise, and that their families receive the truth about their whereabouts. The safety of every missing person must remain the immediate priority.
- Any further unlawful entry, intimidation, or attacks by youths from Ifie-kporo or any other group without legitimate involvement in the operations of Makaraba Field will be fiercely repelled by the Gbaramatu Youths Security Council.
The Gbaramatu Youth Council calls on the Delta State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, The army, Navy, DSS and all relevant security agencies to urgently intervene, investigate the reported incident, facilitate the safe recovery of the missing youth, provide necessary assistance to the injured, and ensure that those found culpable are held accountable under the law.
Gbaramatu people are peace-loving and law-abiding. We remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the preservation of stability among communities in Delta State.
However, our commitment to peace must not be mistaken for weakness or an unwillingness to protect our people. The continued occurrence of these attacks, unlawful entry, and threats to the safety of our communities cannot be ignored.
We therefore issue this stern warning against all acts of trespassing, intimidation, and violence against Gbaramatu communities.
