The Delta State Police Command has called for information from members of the public as it investigates a clash involving suspected supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
The command also clarified reports concerning an AK-47 rifle allegedly recovered during the incident, saying the weapon was not surrendered to the police by any individual but was discovered during a search of an abandoned building.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The clarification followed social media reports alleging that police arrested a suspect and recovered an AK-47 during a political rally in Uvwie, with claims that efforts were being made to secure the suspect’s release.
According to the police, it had received intelligence on September 15 about a planned rally and possible confrontation between supporters of the two political parties.
The command said both groups later submitted written notifications for the rally scheduled for September 18, but were advised against using Angle Park, Warri, as their convergence point.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, subsequently ordered the deployment of officers to the proposed venue early on September 18 to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Police patrol teams were also deployed under a “show of force” operation after tension reportedly increased during the rally.
The command said that at about 11:30am, officers noticed a group of youths attacking a man identified as Collins Egbara near an old building in Orumarho community, Effurun.
The police said Egbara was severely beaten before officers intervened and rescued him. However, the command said it had not established his political affiliation because he had not yet been able to make a statement.
A subsequent search of the building reportedly led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle.
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The police said Egbara was taken to hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.
It further dismissed claims that the rifle had been handed over to the police, explaining that its ownership, possession and circumstances surrounding its recovery remained subjects of investigation.
The command said Egbara remained in protective custody and would be charged if investigations established a connection between him and the firearm.
The police assured the public that the investigation would not be compromised and urged political parties, supporters and campaign organisers to notify security agencies ahead of rallies to allow adequate security preparations.
The command also appealed to anyone with useful information about the incident to contact its Public Relations Office through the numbers 09155570008 and 09155570007.
The development follows a directive by the Delta State Government for security agencies to investigate the September 18 confrontation between suspected supporters of the APC and NDC during a campaign march in Effurun.
The state government had expressed concern over a video of the incident and directed security agencies to identify and prosecute anyone found culpable, while urging political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully.