The Deacon Chris Campaign Council has condemned the reported disruption of the One Million-Man March in Warri/Effurun, Delta State, and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

The council, in a statement signed by Chief Mulade Alfred, Director General, Deacon Chris Campaign Council, said the march began at about 8:00 a.m. before participants were allegedly confronted at several locations.

The reported confrontation occurred during an NDC mobilisation march in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, on Friday. The Delta State Government has since directed security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable.

According to the campaign council, incidents were reported at Airport Road by Total, Airport Road by the traffic light/link road, Ogboroke in Warri and Jakpa Junction before Refinery Junction.

The council said Ambassador Young Piero, Convener of the Local Boys and Girls Movement Support Group and organiser of the march in Uvwie and Warri, provided an account of the reported incidents and their sequence.

It alleged that individuals suspected to be political thugs confronted participants and were armed with firearms and other dangerous objects, including bottles, knives, logs of wood and stones.

The council further alleged that an individual identified as Collins Egbara was seen carrying an AK-47 rifle at Jakpa Junction and was subsequently disarmed and handed over to the police.

It said five participants sustained injuries during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.

The campaign council called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, identify those involved and determine whether firearms or other weapons were used.

It also urged investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported recovery and handover of the AK-47, as well as the number and nature of injuries sustained by participants.

The council called for anyone found culpable through a credible investigation to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Delta State Government has condemned the reported confrontation and said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law. The government also said political rivalry must not degenerate into violence, thuggery or intimidation.

The campaign council welcomed the directive and urged the authorities to ensure that the investigation was comprehensive and conducted without fear or favour.

It reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful political participation and urged its supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding.

“Political differences should never become a justification for violence, intimidation or the disruption of peaceful political activities,” the statement said.

The council maintained that residents should be able to participate in political activities without intimidation or violence. (The Guardian)