A FRESH conflict is brewing between the Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri, Delta State, over allegation by popular Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami that ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo masterminded the recent vandalisation of oil pipelines in the creeks, thereby drawing criticism from Ijaw people.

Yesterday, an Itsekiri socio-cultural organisation, Iwere Peace Movement, warned that Emami’s allegation linking Tompolo with recent vandalisation was capable of causing another crisis between the Ijaw and Itsekiri.

In a statement by Mr. Merie Oritsejolomi and Mr. Johnbull Omadeli, the group absolved Tompolo of complicity in the development, describing the positions of Emami and Chief Michael Jonhny on the issue as unfair “and capable of causing ethnic disharmony between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri.”

Johnny had earlier advised Tompolo to honour the invitation by the EFCC, saying that no one is above the law.

The group, while suing for harmony in the region, said: “We are aware that some miscreants in the Niger Delta are the same people carrying out the vandalisation of the pipelines because of their selfish interests in the recently awarded pipeline surveillance contract, the Escravos to Warri Crude Oil Pipeline, which has already been awarded to another company.

“We are aware of their protest because of the award of the surveillance contract to a company other than their own. They vowed to cause trouble in the pipelines so that they will discredit the company that has the contract.”