Nigeria, May 31 -- Prominent Itsekiri leader, businesswoman and philanthropist, Rita Ogbebor, has called for the federal government's intervention over rising tensions in the Warri axis of Delta State, warning of the possibility of renewed violence in the area if the situation was not urgently addressed.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday in Lagos, the 86-year-old said political actors had continued to exploit ethnic divisions in the oil-rich region for control of resources.

"You may say the word genocide is harsh, but it is true. It is a fact," she stated. "There is a looming genocide against the Itsekiri, and Nigerians must know that the Itsekiri are being battered."

Mrs Ogbebor noted that her concerns followed recent public acti...