By Watchmann

The Ogbotobo community have issued a strong statement demanding the arrest of individuals linked to alleged land-grabbing activities and armed attacks against their community.

The call comes in response to claims made by a spokesperson from the Letugbene community, which the Ogbotobo community vehemently deny.

In their statement, signed by Mr Daniel Enoch, Chairman Ogbotobo Community, the people asserted that the land and water bodies in question, particularly the Etebere creek, are part of their ancestral heritage and have been occupied by them for centuries.

They refute any claims that the Letugbene community has legitimate rights to the creek, emphasizing that recent discoveries of oil wells have prompted aggressive attempts by Letugbene individuals to seize their territory.

The statement details specific accusations against Benson Dodoru, Imiemene Aladin Kuroboh, Samuel Imiemene, French Tume, Humphrey Faze, Victor Ikiere, Victor Elkanah and others alleging that these individuals coordinated violent assaults on Ogbotobo settlements using security resources, including patrol boats and firearms. The Ogbotobo Community describe the perpetrators as engaging in a campaign of intimidation and aggression, which has caused significant damage and emotional distress within their community.

The statement reads in parts; “Ordinarily we, would not have responded to an alleged sea pirate who together with his Letugbene people who are known for their several failed land grabbing missions within the Alabini enclave starting from Egbemo-Angalabiri, Bilabiri and now Ogbotobo. But we need to respond to set the records straight and to save the public from being misled”.

“Letugbene people through one Benson Dodoru, who’s the Chairman of Ijaw National Congress (INC) Iduwini clan shot himself on the foot in a publication made, on 9th June, 2025, where he allegedly made failed attempts to annex part of Ogbotobo land.

“Etebere Creek has been inhabited, occupied and live in solely by the Ogbotobo people and their tenants and land rents has been solely collected by the Ogbotobo people for centuries without any interference from any quarters and the Letugbene community haven’t for once lay claim to that creek except recently a seismic company discovered oil wells in the creek that triggered the serial land grabbers of wanting to forcefully take over our ancestral land.”

“Ogbotobo community does not share a boundary with Letugbene anywhere close to Etebere creek, in fact our boundary is many kilometres away from Eterebe creek and that’s why their quest to grab a land/creek that houses oil wells in a land they too knows does not belong to them is laughable.”

The statement further reads; “The Letugbene people has a trademark of land grabbing especially lands where oil/gas wells are discovered, they have made several failed attempts to grab land in Egbemo-angalabiri, Azagbene, Ezetu, Peretorugbene and Bilabiri communities and has now taken their land grabbing missions to Ogbotobo.

Furthermore, the Ogbotobo community insisted that the ongoing tensions are not just historical grievances but are being exacerbated by recent events, urging law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police force and Department of State Services, to investigate and take action against those responsible for attacks.

The Ogbotobo community alleged that it was security patrol boats and guns belonging to the Nigerian Security and civil defence corps of the renowned Tantita security services Letugbene unit that one Mr Victor Elkanah and Humphrey Faze used in perpetuating the said attacks, and on the above note wishes to draw the attention of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo AKA Tompolo, chairman TANTITA security (TSSNL) and Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of TSSNL that those they contracted to handle the Letugbene unit of Tantita are allegedly using boats/guns belonging to their firm (TSSNL) to carryout attacks on neighbouring communities.

The Ogbotobo community however, expressed commitment to defending their land and emphasized that they will resist any attempts at forced takeover. They however, issued a clear warning to the Letugbene community; reiterating their readiness to protect their ancestral heritage.