According to a March 1997 Africa Research Bulletin report, the conflict between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri was over "the relocation of the headquarters of the newly created Warri South West local government area to a rival town, Ogidigben of the Itsekiri community from Obge-Ijoh" (12620C). Africa Research Bulletin further states that according to local newspapers, "three members of the Ijaw tribe were killed in rioting on the 22nd and that the home of former Information Minister Edwin Clark was destroyed in a fire caused by arson." The rioters also took more than 100 Royal Dutch/Shell oil workers hostage allegedly because of Dutch/Shell's "high profile in Nigeria and larger operations in the Warri area."

According to a 21 - 27 April 1997, West Africar report, the conflict involved the Itsekiris, the Ijaws and the Urhobo clan over the headquarters transfer "at shell employing members of a rural tribe" (ibid.) . The unrest reportedly "seriously" disrupted oil and mining operations in the area (622). According to a 19 - 25 May 1997 West Africa report, the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities had resolved to end hostilities that "had lasted seven weeks (ibid.)." The agreement was reportedly reached at a peace meeting of youths and leaders of the two ethnic groups at Effon, near Warri. The meeting was presided over by the the state administrator Colonel David Dungs, and the general officer commanding the 82nd Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Felix Mojapero. "The ethnic groups also gave an undertaking to release all captured persons on both sides and also return all seized properties owned by oil companies" (ibid.).

Information as to which side the police supported and on the current situation could not be found among the sources currently available to the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Issues [London]. March 1997. "Shell Workers Taken Hostage."

West Africa [London]. 19 -25 May 1997. "Warri Peace Talks."

_____. 21 - 27 April 1997. "Conflict Continues."

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997.1998.

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1997.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1996-1997.

New African [London]. Monthly.

Political Handbook of the World: 1997.Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CAS Publications.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).