NDC, APC Clash: Delta Police Explain AK-47 Recovery, Warn Parties Over Late Rally Notice

By Gabriel Awodeha

The Delta State Police Command has called on political parties and organisers of rallies to provide timely information about their activities, saying adequate notice is essential for effective security planning.

The appeal came as the Command explained the circumstances surrounding the recovery of an AK-47 rifle during a political gathering involving supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Warri.

The incident occurred on September 18, 2026, amid tension between supporters of the two political groups in parts of Warri and Uvwie Local Government Area.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the police first received intelligence on September 15 that the planned rally could result in a confrontation between supporters of the two parties.

Edafe said attempts by the Command to reach the organisers were unsuccessful until September 17, when written notifications from both groups were received.

The notifications, according to the police, came less than 10 hours before the rally scheduled for Angle Park, Warri.

The Command said both groups were advised not to use Angle Park as their point of convergence, after which they went their separate ways.

To prevent possible violence, the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, directed the deployment of policemen to the proposed rally venue from about 5:00 a.m. on September 18.

The police said the situation became tense during the political activities, leading to the deployment of additional patrol teams on “Operation Show of Force”.

According to the Command, the security operation later resulted in the rescue of a man identified as Collins Egbara from a mob at Orumarho community, Effurun.

Police said officers observed the youths beating Egbara at about 11:30 a.m. near an old building and intervened before taking him to hospital for treatment.

The Command said it had not established Egbara’s political affiliation because he had been unable to give a statement.

A search of the premises where he was found, however, led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle, the police said.

The Command also dismissed reports that the firearm was handed over to the police by some individuals, describing such reports as false.

It said the ownership, possession and circumstances surrounding the recovery of the rifle remained under investigation.

“Statements will be recorded from him when he is stable,” the Command said, adding that Egbara remained in protective custody.

The police further stated that if investigations establish that he was connected to the rifle and found culpable, he would be charged before a court.

CP Erale assured the public that the investigation would not be compromised and urged journalists to verify sensitive information through appropriate channels before publication.

The Command also urged political parties and campaign organisers to notify the police well ahead of rallies to enable adequate security arrangements.

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