The Delta State Police Command has denied reports circulating on social media that an AK-47 rifle recovered during a political rally-related incident in Uvwie Local Government Area was handed over to the police by some individuals.
The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the rifle was recovered during a search of an old building at Orumarho Community in Effurun, Uvwie LGA, where police officers had rescued a man being beaten by a mob.
According to the police, it had earlier received intelligence on September 15 about a planned rally and the possibility of a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
The Command said it later received written notifications from supporters of both parties on September 17, less than ten hours before the planned rally at Angle Park, Warri.
It said the groups were advised not to use the venue for the rally and subsequently went their separate ways.
The police added that, at about 5:00 a.m. on September 18, the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, ordered the deployment of personnel to the proposed venue to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
During the rally, according to the Command, heightened tension and the likelihood of a clash prompted additional deployment of patrol teams under an operation code-named “Show of Force”, which brought the situation under control.
The Command said that at about 11:30 a.m. the same day, patrol officers on the operation noticed a group of irate youths beating a man identified as Collins Egbara near an old building at Orumarho Community.
The police said Egbara was rescued from the mob after being beaten severely and taken to a hospital for treatment.
It said officers could not yet establish whether the rescued man belonged to any political party because he had not been able to give a statement.
The police disclosed that a quick search of the premises led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle.
The Command said Egbara remained under protective custody while receiving treatment and would be questioned when his condition improved.
It stressed that claims that the rifle was handed over to the police by some persons were false, adding that the ownership, possession and circumstances surrounding the recovery of the weapon were subject to an ongoing investigation.
The Command said if the suspect was found to be connected to the rifle after the investigation, he would be charged to court.
The Commissioner of Police assured members of the public that the investigation would not be compromised and urged the media to verify information through appropriate channels before publication.
He also called on political parties and campaign organisers to notify the police well ahead of rallies to enable adequate security arrangements and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The Command appealed to anyone with useful information that could assist the investigation to contact the Police Public Relations Office on 09155570008 or 09155570007.
