the itsekiri (also called the isekiri, "ijekri", "itsekri", "ishekiri", or itsekhiri) are an ethnic group of nigeria's niger delta area, delta state. the itsekiri presently number just under 1 million people and live mainly in the warri south, warri north and warri south west local government districts of delta state on the atlantic coast of nigeria. significant communities of itsekiris can be found in parts of edo and ondo states and in various other nigerian cities including lagos, sapele, benin city, port harcourt and abuja. many people of itsekiri descent also reside in the united kingdom, the united states and canada.the itsekiris are closely related to the yoruba of south western nigeria and more widely to the urhobo (especially the okpe) and edo peoples.