The Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Council has called for a comprehensive investigation into the reported disruption and attack on a One Million-Man March held in Warri/Effurun, Delta State.
The council, in a statement signed by its Director-General and governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Delta State, Chief Mulade Alfred, condemned the incident and urged security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation.
The march, organised by the Local Boys and Girls Movement Support Group in support of the Obi-Kwankwaso political movement in Uvwie and Warri, reportedly commenced at about 8:00 a.m.
According to the organisers, trouble allegedly began shortly after the procession commenced, with incidents reported at several locations, including Airport Road by Total, Airport Road by the traffic light/link road, Ogboroke in Warri and Jakpa Junction, before Refinery Junction.
Ambassador Young Piero, convener of the Local Boys and Girls Movement Support Group and organiser of the march, alleged that individuals suspected to be political thugs confronted participants at different points along the route.
He claimed that the suspected attackers were armed with firearms and other dangerous objects, including bottles, knives, logs of wood and stones, which they allegedly used in an attempt to disrupt the procession.
At Jakpa Junction, the organisers alleged that a man identified as Collins Egbara was seen carrying an AK-47 rifle.
The organisers said the individual was subsequently disarmed and handed over to the police.
The campaign council, however, stressed that the circumstances surrounding the alleged firearm incident should be independently established through investigation.
It also reported that five participants sustained injuries during the confrontation and were taken to hospital for medical attention.
Council Seeks Security Investigation
The campaign council called on the Inspector-General of Police, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.
It said the investigation should establish the circumstances that led to the reported attacks, identify those involved and determine whether they had any political affiliations or acted on behalf of any individual or group.
The council also urged investigators to establish whether firearms or other weapons were used, the circumstances surrounding the reported recovery and handover of the AK-47, as well as the number and nature of injuries sustained by participants.
It further called for an investigation into whether any individual or group organised or coordinated the reported attacks.
The council said anyone found culpable through a credible investigation should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It welcomed the reported directive by the Delta State Government for security agencies to investigate the confrontation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
The council urged the authorities to ensure that the investigation was comprehensive, transparent and conducted without fear or favour.
The Deacon Chris Campaign Council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful democratic participation and the constitutional rights of citizens to freely associate, assemble and participate in political activities.
It consequently appealed to members and supporters of the campaign to remain peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding while security agencies work to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The council maintained that political differences should not be allowed to result in violence, intimidation or disruption of peaceful political activities.
It also called for an environment in which residents of Delta State could participate in democratic activities without intimidation, violence or fear.
The council’s statement was signed by Chief Mulade Alfred, Director-General of the Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Council and governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Delta State.