...As Traditional Leaders and Youths Demand Immediate Halt to Sacrilegious Acts and Unauthorized Aggression  

In a strongly worded press briefing held on December 2, 2025, at the Bilabiri Community Town Hall, leaders and representatives of the Bilabiri Kingdom denounced what they termed “provocative and sacrilegious actions” by the neighboring Eletugbene community, issuing a final warning against any recurrence of ritual practices they say threaten both spiritual sanctity and physical safety.

The address, delivered by community leaders including His Highness Commander Abiodu Opumor, Acting Highness of Bilabiri Community, detailed an incident on November 28, 2025, in which members of the Eletugbene community performed the traditional Ijaw ritual known as Ikiyan—a spiritual cleansing ceremony intended to carry away collective evils—in a manner described as deliberately hostile.

Traditionally, the Ikiyan ritual involves floating symbolic offerings on river currents to be carried out to sea, signifying the removal of misfortune. Neighboring communities are customarily notified in advance to prevent accidental encounters. However, Bilabiri representatives allege that Eletugbene intentionally anchored the ritual objects directly opposite Bilabiri territory, an act they claim was not only spiritually offensive but also endangered local fishermen and violated long-standing custom.

“This is not the first time they have done this,” the statement emphasized. “Despite repeated warnings and appeals, they have continued to carry out this ritual in a manner that endangers our fishermen and disrespects our ancestral land.”

The leadership declared that such actions would no longer be tolerated and issued a stern final warning to the Eletugbene community to cease all ritual activities within or near Bilabiri territorial waters.

Historical context provided during the briefing further escalated tensions. Bilabiri representatives asserted that the present-day settlement of Eletugbene occupies land historically belonging to Bilabiri, tracing its origins to Kasakoro, a grandson of Bilabiri and a respected fisherman who established a temporary camp in an area then known as Eletu. After his death, his widow, Inbi-ere, reportedly brought her brothers to settle the area, which later became known as Letugbene.

“We welcomed them as in-laws,” the statement noted, “and treated them with dignity and respect. Never did we imagine that such hospitality would be repaid with ingratitude and territorial aggression.”

In addition to ritual grievances, Bilabiri leaders raised alarm over alleged harassment and violence against Bilabiri tenants in local fishing camps, accusing Eletugbene youths of theft, intimidation, and unauthorized use of Tantita Security Services boats to carry out acts of aggression.

A call was made to Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri, security agencies, and Tantita Security Services leadership to intervene urgently, investigate these claims, and restore order to the Dodo River axis.

The Bilabiri Kingdom affirmed its commitment to peace but made clear that its patience should not be mistaken for weakness. “We will protect our land, our people, and our legacy with every lawful means available to us,” the leaders stated.

The briefing was signed by key figures including Paebi Samson, Secretary-General of Bilabiri Kingdom; High Chief Esau Olumofa; Chief Tekenane Abaka, The Iwopeleowei of Bilabiri Kingdom; Wilson Agonga Essopi, Secretary of Bilabiri Ibe Ware; and Lawrence Etuayinrin Korepughe, President of the Movement for the Survival of Bilabiri Kingdom (MOSOBIC).

The community now awaits official response from state authorities and the Eletugbene leadership as tensions simmer in the riverine region.