Warri, the oil city once famed for its cultural vibrancy, was thrown into chaos on Saturday as Itsekiri and Agbarha-Warri (Urhobo) youths clashed over a disputed procession tied to the fourth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri.

The violence erupted at midday when Agbarha youths reportedly attempted to block an Itsekiri celebratory procession moving through their territory.

Matters escalated when some of the Itsekiri youths were heard chanting “na we get Warri” (“we own Warri”), sparking outrage among the Agbarha group.

Soon, the conflict spread across the bustling Ibo Market and Okere Market areas. Traders hastily locked up their shops, while residents fled in panic as the sounds of gunshots and war cries filled the air.

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Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of young men armed with cutlasses, planks, and stones chasing one another through narrow streets.

“I had to trek all the way from the palace to Estate because the roads were no longer safe,” one resident said, adding that the tension left many stranded and fearful.

Security operatives deployed to the flashpoints fired several shots in an attempt to restore order, but in the process, several youths sustained bullet wounds and machete cuts.

Though no fatalities had been officially recorded at press time, the number of injured remained uncertain.

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The unrest has stoked fears of further escalation, as some groups of youths were reportedly planning reprisals, including threats to burn houses later in the night.

Saturday’s outbreak has, once again, reignited concerns over the fragile peace in Warri, where ethnic rivalries and territorial disputes have often flared into violence.

Only in April, during the Supreme Court–ordered delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency, both sides clashed while protesting the exercise.

Residents have criticised both the Delta State Government and Warri South Local Government Council for what they describe as “reactive” rather than preventive measures in addressing such recurring tensions.

Contacted, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident but dismissed reports of deaths. “The incident is confirmed, but there are no casualties,” he said.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested eight suspected members of a robbery and fraud syndicate alleged to have stolen valuables worth millions of naira, including 42 motorcycles, iPhones and cash totalling over N23.5 million.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team between 11 and 16 August 2025 following credible intelligence.

The syndicate, said to operate in Warri, Ughelli, and other parts of Delta and Edo States, reportedly specialised in deceiving unsuspecting victims by pretending to seek directions before hypnotising and defrauding them.

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Those arrested were identified as: Ibrukoko (32), of Ovu community, Ethiope East LGA; Obruche Actor (31), of Emede community, Isoko South LGA; Lucky Umukoro (28), of Eku community, Ethiope East LGA; and Emmanuel Buruutu (22), of Agbarho community, Burutu LGA.

Others included Musa Abdulahi (27), of Kafanchan, Jamma’a LGA, Kaduna State; Sokoh (30), of Ovwian community, Udu LGA;

Preye Julius (36); and Kadija Abass (30), of the Gidama community, Ilela LGA, Sokoto State.

Exhibits recovered from the gang included two Toyota Camry vehicles with registration numbers LND-809-HE and KSF-61-JU, as well as 16 suspected stolen iPhones.

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“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects have so far defrauded their victims of over N23,500,000. About 42 lady motorcycles and 12 victims have been linked to the fraud,” SP Bright disclosed.

In a separate development, the DPO Ekpan Police Division arrested one Esquire Stanley on 12 August 2025 over a case of stolen ladders. The suspect, who allegedly posed as a customer to hire ladders without returning them, confessed to selling each ladder for N20,000 despite their market value of about N250,000.

Further investigations led to the arrest of four alleged receivers of the stolen items: Chinedu Okorie, Orgi Abara, Philip Augustine and Obone Jevweu. A total of 11 ladders were recovered.

The police spokesperson confirmed that ten suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue.

The Governor Monday Okpebholo led-Edo State Government has demolished a house belonging to a suspected cultist.

The building was said to have been used for initiations in Egbaen community along Upper Siluko Road , Egor Local Government Area.

The building was said to belong to a suspected Maphite cult leader, and was said to be used as a base for cult initiation rites and ritual practices.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary ( CPS) to the governor, Fred Itua in Saturday said the operation was executed by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, working in concert with various security agencies and community stakeholders.

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The statement said the, coordinator of the Edo State Security Squad, Idemudia Noah confirmed that the building was linked a leader of the Maphite cult group, who had allegedly converted the bungalow into a shrine and meeting point for illegal activities.

“We were here some days ago to seal up this building following allegations of cultism, ritual practices and other nefarious activities of suspected Maphite cult leader and his members,” the Edo State Security Squard said in the statement.

The squad leader also disclosed that despite the earlier sealing of the premises, intelligence reports confirmed that the suspects resumed their clandestine operations under the cover of darkness. Their continued defiance prompted the government’s decision to demolish the structure.

“We got credible information that the suspected cult leader Marvellous Adetarami and his members still gathered to have their meetings in this sealed bungalow, where the horrible shrine was discovered,” he revealed.

He said, “Neighbours and community members are all joyous seeing the building pulled down, as they have lived in fear following the suspect’s activities.”