Police say rifle was found during a search of an old building after officers rescued a man from a mob in Effurun
The Delta State Police Command has appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist its investigation into the clash between suspected supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
The command also clarified reports surrounding the recovery of an AK-47 rifle during the incident, stating that the weapon was not handed over to the police by any individual but was discovered during a search of an old building near where officers rescued a man from a mob.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
It followed social media reports alleging the arrest of a suspect and recovery of an AK-47 rifle during a political rally in Uvwie, as well as claims of attempts to secure the release of the suspect.
According to the police, the command received intelligence on September 15 about a planned rally and the possibility of a confrontation between supporters of the APC and NDC.
The command said efforts to contact the organisers were unsuccessful until September 17, when it received written notifications from both groups concerning a rally scheduled for September 18 at Angle Park, Warri.
The police said the groups were advised not to use Angle Park as their convergence point and subsequently went their separate ways.
The command added that at about 5am on September 18, the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, ordered the deployment of officers to the proposed venue to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
It said heightened tension during the rally and the possibility of a clash prompted additional deployment of patrol teams under a show-of-force operation, which eventually brought the situation under control.
However, at about 11:30am, patrol officers reportedly noticed a group of youths mobbing a man identified as Collins Egbara near an old building in Orumarho community, Effurun.
The police said Egbara had been severely beaten before officers intervened and rescued him from the mob.
The command said it had not been able to establish whether Egbara belonged to any political party because he had not yet been able to give a statement.
He was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment and is said to be in stable condition.
The police said a search of the premises where Egbara was rescued led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle.
The command dismissed reports that the weapon had been surrendered to the police by some individuals, stressing that its ownership, possession and circumstances surrounding its recovery remained subjects of investigation.
The police said the investigation would be concluded when Egbara was stable enough to provide information, adding that he would be charged if found to have been connected to the rifle.
“For now, the suspect is still under protective custody,” the command said.
The police also rejected allegations that the investigation was being compromised and assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
The Commissioner of Police urged political parties, their supporters and campaign organisers to notify the command ahead of rallies to allow adequate security arrangements to be made.
The command appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Police Public Relations Office on 09155570008 or 09155570007.
The development followed a directive by the Delta State Government for security agencies to investigate the September 18 clash between suspected APC and NDC supporters in Effurun.
The government had expressed concern over a video of the confrontation circulating on social media and directed security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori issued the directive while urging political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully.