Coalition Rejects Political Plot Targeting Key Itsekiri Figures After Officer’s Arrest

New information has emerged that questions a media report alleging the involvement of an Itsekiri serving in the British Army in inciting unrest in Warri, Delta State. Itsekiri community leaders have labeled the reports as a coordinated smear campaign aimed at discrediting influential figures within the Warri Kingdom.

Contrary to earlier reports claiming the arrest of the unnamed Itsekiri British officer, sources have clarified that the officer, who was in Nigeria on personal leave, was detained without any formal charges, raising questions about due process and the true motivations behind the arrest. Reports had alleged that he was arrested for illegal arms procurement on the orders of one Collins to cause ethnic tension in Warri.

In a statement on Monday, April 28, 2025, a coalition of Itsekiri pressure groups stated that this is not the first time prominent Itsekiri figures have been subjected to character attacks and manufactured scandals. The group alleged that there have been at least two high-profile incidents over the past few years in which Itsekiri individuals faced orchestrated campaigns to discredit or remove them from influential positions.

The coalition had alleged attempts to remove, in February 2025, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, an Itsekiri-born individual who was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). Despite allegations against him and calls for his removal that were widely circulated, which Itsekiri community leaders believe were politically motivated, Ogbe remained in his post. These allegations were later revealed to be baseless, with no evidence to support them.

Another reference was Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also of Itsekiri descent, who served as the Executive Vice President of Upstream at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). In late 2024, her removal from the NNPCL board sparked major controversy. While the reasons behind her removal were not officially provided, many within the Itsekiri community saw it as part of a broader effort to diminish Itsekiri influence in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

“These efforts are not coincidental; this is a longstanding pattern of political sabotage targeted at disempowering Itsekiri voices,” the coalition said.

Meanwhile, legal representatives for the officer dismissed the claims of arms procurement as “insubstantial”. The officer, who has served in the British Army for over a decade, reportedly cooperated fully with officials and was on a pre-booked return flight back to the UK when he was detained in Lagos.

“What we’re seeing is a manufactured media storm based on leaks from unnamed sources designed to paint a false picture,” the statement reads.

They also denied that the officer was connected to any group seeking to instigate unrest in Warri, noting that he has no involvement in regional politics and no history of criminal activity.

The coalition further suggested that the controversial INEC delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency could be the spark behind the misinformation campaign. The recent delineation, which many say finally addresses long-standing Itsekiri and Ijaw grievances over electoral imbalance, has been fiercely opposed by groups who fear losing political ground.

“This is a familiar tactic; discredit the community, cast suspicion, and derail progress before it can take root. We saw this during the oil bloc agitation, during federal appointments, and now again with the illegal INEC proposed delineation exercise.”

The Itsekiri coalition group called for an independent review of the DSS operation and demanded an end to “trial by media.” They have also called on President Bola Tinubu and British diplomatic authorities to ensure the officer’s rights are protected and that ethnic targeting disguised as national security is thoroughly investigated.