The Odimodi Federated Community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, is currently engulfed in turmoil following the recent release of the community chairman Mr. New-word Endoro from prison.
Mr. New-word enforced a three-hour lockdown on the community on the 31st May 2025 with the support of known political thugs linked to Hon. Frank Enikorogha.
The chairman is currently standing trial in the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Warri, facing serious charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, assault with dangerous weapons, and more.
According to reports, upon his release on bail, Endoro returned to Odimodi accompanied by cohorts linked to Hon. Frank Enikorogha, a notable political figure in the area.
During his visit, Endoro alarmed community members by declaring his intention to introduce firearms into the community, suggesting they would be planted in residents’ homes to undermine opposition and instigate further violence.
In a calculated attempt to implement their plan, Endoro and his associates ordered the entire community to remain indoors, effectively locking them in as they proceeded to import weapons under the guise of cultural practices such as “night juju” or masquerade activities.
Residents were reportedly coerced into compliance, leaving them vulnerable as the group transported arms and ammunition into the community.
Eyewitnesses suggested that this orchestrated lockdown was not a mere display of power but rather a prelude to something more sinister, with credible threats made against community members who dared to oppose Endoro or provide testimony against him in the ongoing legal proceedings in Federal High Court of Nigeria in Warri division.
The Willie family, among others, have allegedly faced threats of life, including harassment and intimidation tactics suggesting that their lives are in jeopardy for speaking out against Endoro and his group as witnesses.
Community leaders have expressed grave concerns about the rising threat posed by Endoro and his affiliates. “They spoke openly about killing their opponents and planting dangerous weapons in their homes to frame them,” said a representative of the community.
This alarming behavior exacerbates an already tense situation, as the community grapples with the implications of hosting individuals who are currently facing serious legal charges.
Despite having registered their grievances with the authorities and harboring faith in the judicial system to deliver justice, community members feel besieged.
“We are not safe with Mr. New-word Endoro and his cohorts around,” complaints and witnesses lamented. “They are bringing sophisticated weapons into our community to silence those of us fighting for justice.”
The lockdown lasted three agonizing hours, after which the chairman and his associates allowed residents to resume their daily activities, a move seen as a chilling show of supremacy.
It has since become clear that the community is under siege from those expected to uphold the law. Residents fear that the unrest will lead to significant violence, potentially resulting in loss of life.
Community leaders are urgently calling on the federal government and law enforcement agencies to intervene, stating that the influx of criminal activity is untenable. “We cannot close our eyes to sleep, fearing what Hon. Frank Enikorogha and his boys will do next,” a complaint of the high profile matter in the federal high court, Warri division declared, emphasizing the desperate need for protection and security.
Ironically, one of the bail conditions set for Endoro and his associates was to conduct themselves with good character—a requirement that their recent actions have blatantly violated. This raises significant questions regarding the effectiveness of the judicial system in safeguarding community welfare by releasing individuals charged with serious crimes.
As the situation unfolds, the Odimodi community remains on edge, anxious about the potential escalation of violence and the outcomes of the ongoing trials in Warri. Concerned residents stand firm in their demand for accountability, vowing to hold Hon. Frank Enikorogha and his associates responsible for creating an environment ripe for conflict and fear.
The cries for assistance echo throughout the community, revealing a profound need for intervention before the situation spirals further out of control.