CDHR warns that the Delta boundary dispute between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam could spark unrest, calling for lawful resolution and urgent government action.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has sounded a strong warning over the escalating Delta boundary dispute between the communities of Issele-Azagba and Okpanam.
The rights group expressed concern that the alleged illegal adjustment of boundaries could spark violence, displace families, and undermine the fragile peace in the area unless the government takes urgent action.
The tension between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam is not new. Both Delta communities, historically tied by trade and cultural exchanges, have long shared boundary lines.
But questions over where one community ends and the other begins have periodically resurfaced.
The latest flare-up stems from a controversial attempt to alter existing boundaries based on a disputed consent judgment.
The judgment, however, is already under legal challenge. Despite this, some groups have attempted to enforce it on the ground, raising fears of clashes.
CDHR insists that this move not only breaches due process but also disregards judicial authority.
In a statement released in Warri, CDHR national president, Dr. Kehinde Taiga, described the development as unconstitutional and fraudulent.
He noted that Nigerian law does not empower local government chairmen or officials to alter community boundaries.
“Local government chairmen have no power under Nigerian law to alter boundaries,” Taiga said.
“This reckless act is a recipe for crisis. The judiciary must be respected. Any attempt to force a boundary change outside due process violates the people’s rights.”
According to him, enforcing a judgment still before a competent court amounts to manipulation.
He warned that such “self-help” tactics could plunge the two communities into unnecessary conflict and erode trust in the legal system.
The Delta boundary dispute has left many residents unsettled. Families fear eviction from their ancestral homes, while farmers worry about losing farmlands that sustain their livelihoods.
Business owners also express anxiety that unrest could disrupt economic activities.
Community leaders allege that critical stakeholders were excluded from the adjustment process, fueling suspicions of bias and manipulation.
“What people want is fairness, not backdoor deals,” a concerned youth leader reportedly said.
“If the government does not step in, anger will boil over.”
To avert further escalation, CDHR called on the Delta State government, the Attorney-General, and the State Boundary Committee to urgently step into the matter.
The group also demanded an independent investigation into the disputed judgment to ensure transparency.
“The people deserve peace, not conflict,” Taiga stressed.
“We appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the State Boundary Committee to act quickly.
“What is needed is a peaceful, lawful resolution that protects public safety and guarantees justice.”
The rights group further urged all parties to suspend boundary-related activities until the courts deliver their final ruling.
According to Taiga, this is the only way to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process and prevent a descent into chaos.
Observers warn that the Delta boundary dispute is part of a larger pattern of communal land conflicts in Nigeria.
Across the country, disputes over land ownership and boundaries have led to bloody clashes, mass displacement, and destruction of property.
Analysts fear that if the Issele-Azagba and Okpanam case is mishandled, it could embolden other communities to bypass legal processes and resort to force.
This, they argue, could destabilize peace not just in Delta State but across other states facing similar challenges.
Experts say the long-term solution lies in transparent dialogue and inclusive participation.
Any settlement must involve community leaders, youth groups, women representatives, and government officials to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
Strengthening the Delta State Boundary Committee’s authority and transparency is also key.
By ensuring impartial handling of disputes, the government can rebuild trust among communities and reduce the likelihood of recurring conflicts.
The rising tension between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam is more than a quarrel over land; it is a test of justice, governance, and respect for the rule of law.
As CDHR has warned, ignoring due process in resolving the Delta boundary dispute risks inflaming hostilities and destabilizing the area.
The responsibility now lies with the Delta State government and the judiciary to act decisively.
A lawful, fair, and transparent resolution is the only way to preserve peace, protect livelihoods, and prevent bloodshed. At the heart of the matter is a simple truth: without justice, there can be no lasting peace.
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