The Delta State Police Command has clarified reports surrounding the alleged arrest of a suspect and recovery of an AK-47 rifle during a political rally involving supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said it received intelligence on September 15, 2026, about a planned rally and the likelihood of a clash between supporters of the two political parties.
According to the police, efforts to contact the rally organisers were unsuccessful until September 17, when written notifications were received from both APC and NDC supporters, less than 10 hours before the planned rally scheduled for September 18 at Angle Park, Warri.
The Command said the groups were advised against using Angle Park as the point of convergence, following which the supporters went their separate ways.
It added that at about 5:00 a.m. on September 18, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, ordered the deployment of police personnel to the proposed venue to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The police said that during the rally, tension heightened and there was a possibility of a clash between supporters of the two parties, prompting additional deployment of patrol teams under the “Show of Force” operation.
The situation was subsequently brought under control, the Command said.
However, at about 11:30 a.m. the same day, police patrol teams on the operation reportedly noticed a group of irate youths mobbing an individual identified as Collins Egbara near an old building in Orumarho community, Effurun, Uvwie LGA.
The Command said Egbara had been beaten severely before police officers intervened and rescued him from the mob.
The police stressed that, from the time Egbara was rescued, they had been unable to establish whether he belonged to either of the political parties involved in the rally because he had not yet been able to make a statement.
According to the statement, Egbara was rescued to save his life and subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
The Command added that a search of the premises of the old building where he was found led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle.
“Reports that the gun was handed over to the Police by some persons are false, as the ownership, possession and recovery of the gun is currently subject to an ongoing investigation,” the Command stated.
It said Egbara remains under protective custody and that his statement would be obtained when his condition becomes stable.
The police further stated that if investigations establish that he was connected to the rifle and found culpable, he would be charged to court.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Erale, assured the public that the Command would not compromise the investigation, while urging journalists and members of the public to verify information through appropriate channels before publication.
He also called on political parties, supporters and campaign organisers to notify the police well ahead of rallies to enable adequate security arrangements and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
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