Among the series of activities observed and that drew attention at the 2026 edition of the Gbaramatu Kingdom Strafe Survival Day celebration in Oporoza Community, the traditional headquarters of the kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, May 15, 2026, is the attempt to re-enact the event that occurred seventeen years ago, precisely on Friday, May 15, 2009.

While no one would want to go through the trauma of what actually transpired on that fateful date, the drama however was a reminder to the people of the onslaught that the popular Ijaw Kingdom in the Ijaw Nation suffered from; one that it is yet to recover from fully, especially as the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to redeem the N99 billion judgement debt awarded it by its action to decimate a people.

Recall that on May 5, 2009, the Joint Task Force (JTF), led by the General Sarkin Yaki Bello, invaded and bombed Gbaramatu Kingdom communities, an action that caused death of inhabitants and damages to properties worth billions of naira. In suit No. FHC / ASB/ CS/ 138.2009, filed at the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, some chieftains of the kingdom claimed that the action of the JTF in bombing communities in the Kingdom violated Section 217(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, a position that prompted Justice Ibrahim Buba to award a N99 billion judgment in favour of the affected communities in a judgment delivered on Thursday, December 5, 2013, as the judge declared that the action of the JTF was indeed illegal and unconstitutional.

The 2026 edition which was attended by natives of the riverine kingdom marks the 17th time the occasion has been consistently observed, a ceremony that demonstrated the strength of a people whose only crime against the Nigerian state is their agitation for a fair share of the resources of crude oil and gas extracted from their kingdom and the Niger Delta region at large.

In the drama, youths, posing as armed agitators, battled and subdued armed forces of the state, demonstrating the victory of the Gbaramatu Kingdom people against acts of oppression, intimidation, injustice, and evil, despite the loss of lives and properties among which is the Gbaramatu Kingdom palace and its guest house.

On lives lost, according to the list published on Gbaramatu Kingdom History Facebook page, some of the victims are: Etebuwei Francis Okoro, Wilson Bigha, Ebi-eride Diamond Akabi, Aweri Teiwei, William Tonfawei, Kulebiri Agbede, Josiah Johnny Akaakrusa, Aaron Bebenimibo, Emmanuel Oturubo, Joseph Jamani, Kebaka Efa, Samson Jamani, Bombay Adonkia, Keniye Atu, Isaac Ekpebide, Africa Olukpa, and Emotimide Yaya.

Also listed are Brubor Christopher, Kpenfe Isaac, Uwely Emmanuel, Bebenimibo Ebi, Iyabribinde Liong, Ari Solomon, Baruku Patrick, Emotimide Tonbrapagha Gbaraunwei, Monday Ebikeme, Asakarewei, Igbofonwei Owele, Tueriwei Gowon Ogbogbosuogbo, Tangbe Left-Terry, Odi Christopher, Tortor Abraham, Chief Kuku Olobio, Michael, among  others.

The Chairman of Oporoza Community, Hon. Emmanuel Ebi Gbanale, joined by other participants at the 17th edition, visited the site reserved for the remembrance of the victims that fell in the Niger Delta struggle and during the bombardment (1997–2009) where they observed a minute's silence in their honour, and prayers were offered for their souls to rest peacefully.

Other highlights of the 2026 edition include traditional dance, masquerade performance, and music supplied by Prince Smally Okpe and his live music band.

Despite the downpour in the course of the celebration, the people defied the rains and graced the floor with to show off their beautiful Ijaw dance steps as they mark another edition of the survival day that has come to stay, but with prayers that the kingdom will no more experience such a sad experience that left many traumatised.

As the people look forward to another edition marking the sad historic event, it is only hoped that the injustice meted out on the Gbaramatu Kingdom people will be assuaged with the payment of the N99 billion judgement debt yet to be honoured by a government who continue to benefit from the crude oil and gas resources domiciled in a region where the people continue to dwell in poverty and the lack of basic amenities as well as the lack of any government presence.

View more photos from the event: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JJdVBT1V9/

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