TENSION flared in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as youths allegedly chased traders, the council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, while addressing store owners at the Ughelli/Ogor modern market.
The incident underscores a longstanding dispute over ownership and royalty claims tied to the market’s land, deepening the brewing crisis in the area.
The Ogor/Ughelli modern market, commissioned by former president Olusegun Obasanjo during Chief James Onanefe Ibori administration as Delta State Governor years ago and ever since, it has been plagued by controversy. 
After remaining shutdown for years, the market was reopened earlier this year, raising hopes for economic activity. However, renewed plans by Chairman Egbo to reallocate stores in the market have reignited tensions, particularly with the Ogor community and its youths, who insist they should be accorded special rites of ownership of the market due to their claim over the land.
The Godwin Adode era as the council chairman, the modern market was renovated, commissioned and stores allotted to traders.
Hon Godwin Adode, made it clear at the commissioning and allotment that any store not open within six months will be revoked.
In accordance with the law, it was alleged that Olorogun Jaro Egbo is set to re-allocate the stores to new occupants.
According to sources, Egbo’s administration had resolved to take back stores from owners who have refused to open for business and reassign them to traders willing to make immediate use of the space.
It was learned that youths from Ogor kingdom last Tuesday chased traders from the modern after it was alleged that a maintenance contract was awarded to a foreigner.
A trader who spoke on anonymous condition said, “I have been trading here for the past two years, though the sale is very poor as we hardly sell our goods except for the Hausa boys.
According to the source, “We learned that the contract of toilet maintenance was given to a foreigner from another local government and that infuriated the Ogor youths.
On hearing the news,the youths stormed the market to chased traders away on the ground that the contract must be given to any Ogor person and not a foreigner.
“When the youths stormed the market, they chased us away, leaving our goods at the mercies of God until the chairman came.
“They had heated argument with the council chairman and staff from the local government and the timely intervention of security agent invited by the chairman doused the tension.
“During the heated confrontation, the aggrieved youths not only disrupted the chairman’s address but also chased away traders who were present at the market.
Store owners and traders scrambled to leave, fearing further escalation of the unrest.
The Ogor community, along with its youths, views the council’s actions as a disregard for their ownership claims and traditional rites. They argue that any decision affecting the market should involve their input and reflect their historical connection to the land.
Another source from Ogor community alleged that the contractor handling the toilet maintenance called a leader from Ogor name withheld to negotiate but the leader insisted the job must be given to Ogor to handle.
While the council argues that this measure aims to boost economic activity and prevent the market from remaining dormant, it has drawn resistance from certain quarters, escalating the already fragile situation.
However, normalcy was eventually restored after some leaders of the Ogor community intervened and called the youths to order. The leaders appealed for calm and urged all parties to embrace dialogue in resolving the dispute.
The Ughelli/Ogor modern market remains a symbol of economic potential overshadowed by communal discord and administrative challenges. As the dust settles, residents are calling on the Delta State Government to intervene swiftly, mediate between stakeholders, and ensure that peace and fairness prevail for the benefit of the entire community.
Efforts to speak with the Chief Press Secretary to Ughelli North Council Chairman, Mr Efe Ekete was not successful as calls to his mobile line were not connecting.
