Awani Calls for Investigation into Protest Against Olu of Warri

Esimaje Awani, Director General of the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA), has called for a thorough investigation into a video clip recorded in New York and sighted by this medium, wherein a lady maligned the office of the Olu of Warri, a chief of Warri Kingdom and others in what is believed to be a counter protest to that of an unnamed group against Ex-agitator, Chief Government Ekpemupolo in New York, United States of America last year 2024.

In a statement released to Warri Sentinel, Awani requested that the investigation be done by Itsekiris in the United States in collaboration with the American Embassy to identify the sponsor(s) of the unidentified lady responsible for the maligning video.

The demonstration is linked to tensions surrounding Tantita Security Service, a security company led by Mr. Government Ekpemupolo.

In his statement, Awani vehemently denied claims on social media that he had funded the protest against the Warri monarch.

He further clarified that he briefed the Olu of Warri of his trip to Geneva and his collaboration with Tantita Security Services.

Earlier, Awani had staged a one-man counter-protest in Geneva to counter accusations from an unnamed group that Tantita Security was involved in human rights violations, illegal detentions, and oil theft in the region.

However, controversy erupted when another video emerged showing a U.S.-based group supporting Tantita Security while accusing the Warri monarch and others of being involved in the region’s oil thefts.

This sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many from Warri kingdom accusing Awani of orchestrating the malicious attack on the king.

Awani has now denied being in the U.S. during the protest, stating that he was in Canada at the time. He accused dissidents within the Warri kingdom of using his Geneva protest as an opportunity to falsely link him to the protest against the monarch.

Reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the Warri throne and monarch, Awani emphasized his deep respect for the Itsekiri people. He stressed that despite his association with Tantita Security, he would never jeopardize the reputation of the Itsekiri nation.