Minama Community Faults Bille’s Claim of Ownership of Its Settlements, Calls for Immediate Government Intervention

The Minama Community in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has dismissed claims by Bille Kingdom that it owns some settlements belonging to Minama, including Dabara.

The Amanyanabo of Minama Clan, His Royal Highness, King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, Amiemaye-Loku XIII made this disclaimer on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 via a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He called on the Rivers State Government and the various security agencies to check the repeated media assault of the Bille people to avert any act of provocation around an active oil and gas area in the State.

He expressed concern over the brazen challenge of the Kalabari ethnic nationality by the Bille people and the disrespect for the person of the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, King Mujaheed Dokubo Asari, whose contributions they are trying to frustrate.

According to the traditional ruler, Minama Community had taken enough from the Bille people and hopes that the Rivers State Government would issue the White Paper on the Ke/Bille crisis, especially, as it concerns the interest of the peace-loving people of Minama.

According to the statement, Minama is one of the earliest natives of the lower Niger Delta and acquired and controlled more than 30 settlements, the highest area to be owned by a single group.

He said that the scope of authority of the Minama Clan is confirmed by it pioneering roles in the area. Adding that, its territory began from Obule-Bebe in Minama-Toru, currently referred to as Buguma Creek to Egenegene down to Pambaduaye, bursting out to Kalabari-Toru. Also connecting Kumbulu Creek to Dabara, down to Obu-Toru.

Dabara settlement that is being claimed by the Bille people is on the same Island with Elem-Kalabari and Elem-Minama and could not be owned by Bille that is deep in the Creek.

He called on the people of Bille to revisit their history and as much as possible stay on their lane and avoid crisis. Adding that, the desire of all well-meaning people is peace and development and hoped that the Bille people will take a queue.