By Emma Amaize
WARRI—BENIKRUKRU Federated Community in Warri South-West local aovernment area of Delta State has asked Itsekiri people of Deghele community in the state to stop making bogus claims to the ownership of its settlements in the area in the interest of peace.

A leader of thought from the oil-producing Benikrukru, Prince Philip Tonfawei, said in a statement made available to Vanguard in Warri, yesterday that the community was shocked to note that Mr.  Johnbull Edema of Iye descendants referred to Benikrukru settlements of Tara-Itagbene, Agunugene, Itakular and Ogbomugbere as Itsekiri villages, calling them Ajamango, Ugborihearen, Aja eli kpere and Takula hamlets, respectively.

He said:   “Let it be known to the Deghele community that any attempt to falsely claim or trespass these settlements will be strongly resisted”.

He stated categorically that Tara and the aforementioned  three communities were owned by Benikrukru community in Gbaramatu kingdom and urged Itsekiri people to “let sleeping dog lie so that the wheel of progress will not be dragged backwards”.

Prince Tonfawei said the community identify with the appeal by Mr. Edema to the state government to open the waterways for the return of displaced people of Gbaramatu kingdom, but dismissed the claim that the aforesaid Benikrukru villages belong to Deghele community.