By Obah Sylva
The controversy surrounding the violent attack on an NDC-supporting rally along Nnebisi Road in Asaba, Delta State, is intensifying, with the state government, police, opposition figures and other stakeholders trading accusations over the incident that reportedly left one person dead, five injured and more than 30 vehicles vandalised. Five days after the November 7 incident, questions remain over the identities of the victims, possible arrests and those responsible for the violence.
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Key Highlights
- One person was confirmed dead and five others injured during the November 7 Asaba rally attack.
- More than 30 vehicles were reportedly vandalised during the violence.
- Delta State Government and police authorities blamed organisers for allegedly ignoring security advice.
- The NDC and its supporters alleged a deliberate attack on opposition members.
- The Asagba of Asaba’s palace disowned a purported letter to Peter Obi, describing it as fake.
- Police investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been publicly confirmed in the reports reviewed.
Police Confirm One Death, Five Injuries
The Delta State Police Command confirmed that violence erupted at about 12:15 p.m. on November 7 along Nnebisi Road during a procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The police confirmed that one person died while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
The police initially disclosed that the identities of the victims had yet to be established. However, no arrests have been publicly confirmed in the available reports.
The absence of further details has raised questions about the progress of the investigation, particularly concerning the identification of the victims, possible suspects and the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The police are expected to provide updates on whether suspects have been identified, arrested, questioned or charged.
Dispute Over Police Security Advice
The Delta State Government and police authorities have maintained that the organisers ignored security advice against conducting an open street procession.
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said security agencies had advised the organisers to abandon the proposed street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
The state government argued that the violence might have been avoided if the organisers had followed the security advice.
The police command also disclosed that it had received intelligence suggesting possible violence ahead of the procession and invited the organisers to a security meeting.
According to the police, the organisers disregarded advice against holding an open-road march.
However, the NDC has rejected this account, describing the incident as a deliberate attack on its supporters.
The party has also accused individuals allegedly linked to the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of involvement in the violence. These allegations remain unsubstantiated by any publicly disclosed investigation or court finding.
Over 30 Vehicles Reportedly Vandalised
Another major issue arising from the Asaba rally attack is the reported destruction of more than 30 vehicles during the violence.
Reports indicate that several vehicles were vandalised, although a comprehensive and independently verified inventory of the affected vehicles has not been made public.
A detailed list containing vehicle registration numbers, ownership details, photographs and assessments of the damage would help establish the actual scale of the destruction.
Such documentation would also assist police investigators, insurance companies and other relevant authorities in independently verifying the reported losses.
For now, the precise number of affected vehicles and the total financial value of the damage remain unclear.
Asagba of Asaba’s Palace Disowns Alleged Letter to Peter Obi
The controversy surrounding the rally took another twist after the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba disowned a purported letter addressed to Peter Obi, warning him and the Obidient Movement against disrupting peace in Asaba.
The palace reportedly described the document as fake, alleging that it carried a forged royal letterhead and signature and did not originate from the traditional institution.
The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, denied issuing or authorising the purported statement.
The palace also condemned political violence and expressed concern over the alleged impersonation of the traditional institution.
The development is significant because the purported letter had featured prominently in the political arguments surrounding the rally.
Its disowning raises further questions about the origin of the document and the individuals responsible for circulating it.
However, the palace’s clarification does not establish who organised or carried out the attack on the rally.
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Delta Government, APC and NDC Trade Accusations
The political fallout from the incident has continued to deepen, with the Delta State Government, APC campaign figures and NDC leaders exchanging accusations.
The Delta State Government and the APC Campaign Council have condemned the violence and called for a thorough investigation.
However, their condemnation has been accompanied by criticism of the organisers’ decision to proceed with the street procession despite alleged security warnings.
On the other hand, NDC figures, including Delta Central Senatorial candidate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have accused the government and APC-linked individuals of responsibility for the attack.
The state government and APC have denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the organisers should have complied with the security advice provided ahead of the rally.
Meanwhile, supporters of Peter Obi have criticised the police response, while government-aligned voices have continued to emphasise the alleged disregard for security arrangements.
With competing narratives emerging from the different political camps, the police investigation remains crucial to establishing the facts and determining responsibility.
PANDEF Calls for Proper Security at Political Rallies
The incident has also renewed calls for political parties to prioritise security when organising rallies, campaigns and public processions.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged political parties to organise rallies and large gatherings at properly secured venues with adequate security arrangements.
The organisation also called on the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to investigate the violence and apprehend those responsible.
For political parties planning future rallies in Delta State, the incident highlights the importance of:
- Notifying the police and other security agencies well ahead of planned events.
- Agreeing on secure venues and controlled procession routes.
- Complying with security advice on crowd movement and timing.
- Properly identifying rally organisers and security marshals.
- Taking measures to prevent armed or violent individuals from infiltrating gatherings.
- Promptly reporting threats, attacks and cases of property destruction.
Political gatherings should provide opportunities for democratic participation rather than expose supporters and residents to violence.
Asaba Rally Attack: Questions Still Awaiting Answers
Despite the condemnations and political exchanges, several critical questions surrounding the November 7 attack remain unanswered.
Among the issues requiring clarification are:
- Have the deceased and injured victims been formally identified, and have their families been contacted?
- Have any suspects been arrested, questioned or charged in connection with the violence?
- What evidence has emerged to identify those responsible for the attack?
- Is there a verified list of the more than 30 vehicles reportedly vandalised?
- Who produced and circulated the purported royal letter attributed to the Asagba of Asaba?
- When will the police make the findings of their investigation public?
Until these questions are answered, the established public record remains limited to one confirmed death, five injuries, reported vehicle vandalism, an ongoing police investigation, competing political accusations and the Asagba’s palace disowning the purported letter.
The Asaba rally attack has therefore become more than a dispute between political parties. It has raised broader concerns about political tolerance, public safety, security management and accountability in Delta State.
As the police investigation continues, residents and concerned Nigerians will be looking for concrete answers rather than further political accusations.
Ultimately, the credibility of the investigation will depend on whether those responsible are identified and brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.
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