THE isoko people are people of Niger Delta who are located In Delta state and some part of Bayelsa state, I once created a thread about the Urhobo speaking People of Bayelsa.

Isoko land is a key centre of Nigeria’s crude oil and natural gas production with a population of about 1.5 million, making the Urhobo / Isoko population to be 5 Million.

The isoko language is a branch of the urhobo language, thou unique in it’s way. The isoko people shares similar culture and believe with the Urhobos.

Anibeze is an Isoko speaking community in Constituency III, Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State. It settles along the Forcados River, on lower Niger River.

Their closest neighbours are Patani in Delta State and Adagbabiri community in the same Sagbama local government, Bayelsa State.

The people’s main occupation is farming, with some fishing too. The community can be accessed through the River or motor bike from the East/West Road.

Plight of the Anibeze People 

For the people of this riverside settlement whose very existence like several others in the predominantly riverine state is now hanging in the balance on account of the devastating erosion caused by the tempestuous River Forcados, a tributary of the magnificent River Niger, this certainly is not the best of times.

As the people go through the motions of daily life, the troubled look in many eyes betray layers of unspoken fears and uncertainty. Nobody is sure whose house would be the next to be swallowed in this predominantly farming and fishing settlement by the river.

Sadly, the people no longer have enough land to farm due to the devastating coastal erosion which has eroded about 70 per cent of its landmass. Also fishing which the people could have relied on for survival has suffered tremendous neglect due to the precarious situation in the community where families are constantly relocating due to the erosion menace which has swept away several buildings.

Notable People from Anibeze community 

* Prof Obaro Ikime

Isoko Wado!!!!