Tompolo Urges Peace as Protests Erupt Over Warri Boundary Issues

Former Niger Delta militant leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm in Delta State. This comes after protests erupted around the controversial ward boundary changes in Warri Federal Constituency.

Tompolo made this call in a statement on Tuesday. He spoke after women and youths from various communities took over oil and gas facilities in the Escravos and Warri River areas. They were protesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) handling of the boundary changes.

"Since yesterday, 8 June 2026, we are all living witnesses to the mass action by peaceful women and youths from our various communities occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri River areas," the statement said.

The Ijaw leader mentioned that many Nigerians want a peaceful way to settle the disagreement. He urged all sides to avoid actions that could make things worse.

"The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or to degenerate into violence of any sort," he said.

Tompolo described the Ijaw people as historically peaceful. He appealed to residents to stay calm despite their frustrations.

"I am calling for calm no matter the situation," he said.

He also suggested an urgent meeting of community leaders to find a way to resolve the issue.

"We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse," he added.

The former militant commander called on INEC to act in ways that would bring back peace to Warri and the nearby areas.

"INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environs," he said.

He asked members of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups to remain patient and let the electoral commission sort out the pending matters.

Tompolo’s comments come as tensions rise over INEC’s boundary changes in Warri Federal Constituency, a politically sensitive area that includes Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.

The issue has led to protests from groups claiming that the electoral commission has either not finished the changes or acted in ways that are not fair to them.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that on Monday, protesters took over several oil and gas facilities in the Warri area. This disrupted logistics operations and raised worries about crude oil production.

Some community groups claim that up to 13 oil flow stations were affected by the protests, but government agencies have not yet given an official report on the situation.

This development has raised fears about security and oil production in the Niger Delta. This region produces most of Nigeria’s crude oil.

The boundary dispute comes from a Supreme Court ruling that ordered INEC to carry out new boundary changes for electoral wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency.

This process has led to disagreements among Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo stakeholders. Rival groups have accused each other of trying to gain political benefits.

PREMIUM TIMES recently reported protests by an Ijaw and Urhobo group against what they called delays and interference in the boundary change process.

The group, known as the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State, warned that ignoring their concerns could increase tensions in the oil-rich region.