By Reen Chidi
The Delta State Police Command has clarified reports surrounding the recovery of an AK-47 rifle during heightened political tension 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 Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said it was aware of social media publications alleging that a suspect was arrested and an AK-47 rifle recovered during a political rally in the area.
It also dismissed reports suggesting that efforts were being made to secure the release of the alleged suspect, describing such claims as inaccurate.
According to the Command, it received intelligence on September 15, 2026, about a planned political rally and the possibility of a confrontation between APC and NDC supporters.
The police said attempts to establish contact with the organisers initially proved unsuccessful until September 17, when it received written notifications from supporters of both parties concerning the rally scheduled for September 18 at Angle Park, Warri.
The parties were subsequently advised against using the location as their convergence point, following which, according to the police, they dispersed separately.
To prevent a possible breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, ordered the deployment of personnel to the proposed venue from about 5:00 a.m. on September 18.
The Command said tension heightened during the political activities, creating the possibility of a clash between supporters of the two parties.
It consequently deployed additional patrol teams under “Operation Show of Force”, which it said helped to bring the situation under control.
The Command further disclosed that at about 11:30 a.m. on the same day, police patrol teams observed a group of youths allegedly mobbing a man identified as Collins Egbara near an old building at Orumarho Community, Effurun, in Uvwie LGA.
The police said Egbara had been severely beaten and was rescued by its personnel in order to save his life.
He was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
The Command stressed that it had not established whether Egbara was affiliated with either of the political parties involved in the rally, noting that he had not been able to make a statement because of his medical condition.
It was after the police rescued him, the Command said, that officers conducted a search of the premises of the old building and discovered an AK-47 rifle.
The police clarified that the circumstances surrounding the ownership, possession and recovery of the firearm remain subject to investigation.
It also rejected reports that the rifle was voluntarily handed over to the police by some individuals.
The Command said Egbara remains under protective custody while receiving treatment, adding that his statement would be obtained once his condition stabilises.
It further stated that should investigations establish a connection between him and the firearm, appropriate legal action would be taken.
CP Erale assured members of the public that the investigation would be conducted without compromise, while urging the media to verify information through appropriate channels before publication.
The Commissioner also called on political parties, supporters and campaign organisers to notify the police sufficiently ahead of rallies and other political activities to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
The Command appealed to anyone with information capable of assisting the investigation to contact the Police Public Relations Office on 09155570008 or 09155570007.
