Warri Council of Chiefs on Saturday accused soldiers men attached to Tantita Security Services Limited of killing a vigilante head, Dele Ogunbayo, in Pessu community, Warri South LGA of Delta State.
The incident occurred 18th September, 2025.
Chief Brown Mene made the allegation while speaking on behalf of the Warri chiefs at a press conference.
He added that aside the deceased, four other persons were also killed by the soldiers.
Mene said, “On the 18th day of September 2025 at about 12 midnight, eyewitnesses testified that they heard multiple gun shots in Pessu Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, an aboriginal Itsekiri community.
“They saw four trucks with armed military personnel suspected to be attached to Tantita Security Company, a company owned by an ex-Ijaw militant. The armed men were identified by the shirts/polo and caps.
“The long and short of it is that they shot multiple times at Dele Ogunbayo, one of the heads of the vigilante in the area, ensured that he was dead and took his remains to the morgue.
“The deceased joined the list of persons of Itsekiri ethnic extraction murdered in this crisis.
“We have lodged a petition with the police for investigation of the incident which the military immediately denied but later we have seen a recent publication of the military claiming responsibility.”
He further stated, “Warri South is headquartered in Warri Urban. Warri South-West is legally headquartered in Ogidigben, an Itsekiri community while Warri North is headquartered in Koko.”
He noted that Ogbe-Ogbe-Ijoh is the territorial sovereignty of the Ama–Okosu of Ogbe–Ijoh, stressing that his territorial sovereignty does not extend to anywhere in Warri South Local Government Area.
The Warri chiefs urged the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led Delta State government to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the matter.
Mene added, “The Inspector General of Police should immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Chief of Army Staff should investigate the attachment of the military men to Tantita Security Services Limited.
“The Federal Government should review its policy of entrusting security apparatus to private citizens who has ethnic agenda.”
The Warri chiefs accused Governor Oborevwori of politicising the issues in Warri Federal Constituency.
However, the Army says the deceased was a cultist and not a community vigilante leader.
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Capt. Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, said the deceased is “suspected cultist” pointing out that he was gunned down during a fierce battle with soldiers.
A statement issued by the Army spokesman read: “In a significant development, troops of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force (JTF), South South(SS), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS) have arrested, a notorious suspected cultist identified as Stephen Fragene Pessu, and neutralized another at Pessu community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, on 18 September, 2025.
“The arrested notorious criminal has confessed to be a member of a dreaded gang terrorizing the area and its environs and have provided credible information on their activities.
“The gang was implicated severally in kidnapping for ransom, with evidence of payments made to secure the release of their victims.
“Further investigation revealed that the group is armed with lethal weapons, used during recent clashes.
“Troops conducted a follow-up operations, which resulted in a firefight, during which Mr Dele was neutralized, and a pump-action gun recovered from the scene.
“The operation is ongoing, with troops combing the general area, to arrest other members of the gang.
“Additionally, efforts are intensified to recover the weapons in their possession.”
Commending troops for their resilience, the Commander, 63 Brigade/Sector 1, JTF SS OPDS, Brigadier MA Shonibare, charged them to clampdown on all criminal elements in the area.
Shonibare reassured the people of Delta Sate and environs that the Brigade under his watch would continue to effectively prioritize the safety of lives and property.
He also urged them to go about their socioeconomic activities as adequate measures are emplaced for their safety and security.
