The crisis was said to have begun on Saturday and continued on Sunday following an order by the leadership of Okere-Urhobo kingdom for business owners to lock up their shops as a mark of respect for their deceased monarch, Oghenero Okumagba (Idama II).
Youths from Okere-Urhobo and Itsekiri areas of Delta State have clashed over traditional rites surrounding the burial of an Urhobo monarch, leaving over five persons injured.
The crisis was said to have begun on Saturday and continued on Sunday following an order by the leadership of Okere-Urhobo kingdom for business owners to lock up their shops as a mark of respect for their deceased monarch, Oghenero Okumagba (Idama II).
SaharaReporters gathered that this did not go down well with Itsekiri communities, leading to a brawl.
A source disclosed that the Itsekiri youths vowed not to obey the order since the late monarch was of Urhobo extraction and had nothing to do with them.
He said, “The Itsekiri youths said during the burial ceremony of their late monarch, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, no such order was given and based on that, the Okere-Urhobo's order will not be observed in Itsekiri domain.”
Commissioner of Police in the state, Adeyinka Adeleke, confirmed the crisis, adding that one person was shot and that the fight was connected to the burial of the king.