WARRI/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has said late notification of a September 18 political rally in Uvwie Local Government Area complicated security preparations, while clarifying that an AK-47 rifle recovered during the ensuing tension was not handed over to the police as claimed in some social media reports.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, following reports alleging the arrest of a suspect and recovery of an AK-47 during the rally, as well as claims of attempts to secure the suspect’s release. The clarification was also reported by other media outlets on September 22.
According to the police, it received intelligence on September 15 about the planned rally and the possibility of confrontation between supporters of the APC and NDC. The Command said attempts to reach the organisers were unsuccessful until September 17, when written notifications from both sides were received, less than 10 hours before the planned event.
The parties were subsequently advised not to use Angle Park in Warri as their point of convergence, following which the groups went their separate ways, the Command said.
Despite the development, the Commissioner of Police ordered the deployment of officers to the proposed rally area from 5 a.m. on September 18 to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The Command said tension later increased during the political activities, prompting additional patrol teams to commence a “Show of Force” operation, which it said helped bring the situation under control.
A separate incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m., when patrol officers reportedly saw a group of youths attacking a man identified as Collins Egbara near an old building in Orumarho community, Effurun.
Police said Egbara had been severely beaten before officers intervened and rescued him. He was taken to hospital for treatment and remains under protective custody.
The Command said it had not established whether Egbara belonged to either of the political parties because he had not been able to make a statement due to his medical condition.
It was during a subsequent search of the premises of the old building that police said an AK-47 rifle was recovered.
The Command specifically rejected reports that the firearm was voluntarily handed over to police by individuals involved in the incident, saying the circumstances surrounding its ownership, possession and recovery remain subject to investigation.
Police said Egbara’s statement would be obtained once he becomes medically stable, after which investigators would determine whether he is connected to the recovered firearm. The Command said he would be charged if the investigation establishes sufficient grounds for prosecution.
The clarification comes after accounts by organisers of the NDC march had alleged that a man identified as Collins Egbara was seen with an AK-47 and subsequently disarmed and handed over to the police. Those claims had been publicly reported before the police issued its clarification.
The police, however, said its investigation would not be compromised and urged the public and media organisations to rely on verified information from appropriate channels when reporting security incidents.
The Command also appealed to political parties and campaign organisers to notify the police sufficiently ahead of rallies and political activities to allow adequate security arrangements.
