A political march organised to demonstrate support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections has reportedly descended into deadly violence in Asaba, Delta State, leaving one person dead and several others injured following an alleged attack involving machetes and other dangerous weapons.
What began as a political procession through the streets of Asaba reportedly turned into a horrifying scene of violence, leaving a Keke taskforce member dead, several commercial tricycle operators brutally attacked and residents of the state capital shaken by the tragic loss of life.
The incident occurred during the NDC One-Million-Man March, organised by supporters of the party as part of its political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to accounts of the incident, trouble reportedly started when a vehicle associated with the procession hit a commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke, whose driver had stopped to protest the incident.
Rather than resolving the disagreement peacefully, the situation allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, during which the Keke operator was reportedly beaten by some participants in the procession.
The confrontation soon attracted the attention of members of the Keke taskforce and monitoring team, who reportedly rushed to the scene to establish what had happened and intervene in an effort to restore calm.
The NDC supporters reportedly suspected that the Keke taskforce and monitoring team, were political thugs. Acting on that suspicion, they allegedly descended on the taskforce members, attacking them with machetes and other dangerous weapons.
However, what should have been an opportunity to settle the disagreement turned into a more violent encounter.
In the ensuing chaos, one of the taskforce members reportedly sustained severe machete injuries and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, for emergency medical attention.
Despite efforts to save his life, he was subsequently confirmed dead, with his body deposited in the mortuary.
The tragic development has sparked outrage among commercial tricycle operators, with members of the transport community demanding justice for their slain colleague and calling for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking to journalists, the Delta State Director-General of the Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA), Chief Uchenna Okafor, condemned the killing in strong terms, describing the attack as unacceptable and a dangerous assault on the lives and dignity of ordinary citizens.
Okafor expressed sadness over the death, insisting that commercial transport operators must not become victims of political violence simply because they are carrying out their lawful business.
He said the incident was particularly disturbing because the taskforce members had reportedly gone to the scene to investigate the disagreement and prevent further trouble, only to become targets of the alleged attackers.
The COMTOA chief also disclosed that the NDC office was located directly opposite his organisation’s office, revealing that the situation had become so tense that angry Keke operators could have attacked the party’s premises if not for his intervention.
“The NDC office is opposite our office. If not for my quick intervention, they could have burnt down the office out of anger over the killing of one of them,” he said.
According to him, he personally appealed to the aggrieved transport operators to exercise restraint and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He said the operators listened to his appeal, despite their anger and grief over the death of their colleague.
“I appealed for calm, which they obeyed. We are waiting for the state government’s quick intervention. The perpetrators must be brought to book,” Okafor declared.
In an emotional reaction, he warned that commercial transport operators were human beings whose lives deserved protection, dignity and respect, stressing that their occupation should never make them easy targets for political violence.
“We are Keke and Okada riders, not chickens to be killed anyhow. We have dignity,” he said.
Okafor questioned how a political gathering intended to demonstrate popular support for a political party could allegedly become an occasion for the use of dangerous weapons against innocent people.
“They are doing One Million March with cutlasses, knives and arms. They are political thugs,” he alleged.
Reports surrounding the incident indicated that some participants in the procession were allegedly armed with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, creating an atmosphere of fear and forcing some people to flee for safety.
The allegations have raised serious questions about the conduct of political mobilisation activities and the responsibility of political parties and their organisers to ensure that public gatherings do not become platforms for intimidation, violence and bloodshed.
Okafor called on the Delta State Government and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene urgently, ensure a thorough investigation and bring anyone found culpable before the law.
He also urged the government to provide the necessary protection for commercial transport operators, warning that the death of a Keke operator or taskforce member must not be treated as an ordinary incident.
Political parties have a responsibility to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully, respect other road users and refrain from using intimidation or violence to advance political interests.
The reported killing has cast a dark shadow over the NDC’s political mobilisation in Asaba, with COMTOA demanding answers and justice for the deceased.
However, the Obidient Movement has offered a different account of the incident, alleging that APC thugs attacked its members and stabbed one of its supporters with daggers.
The National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement, Dr Mo, made the allegation in a statement condemning the attack, describing it as another disturbing indication of the growing threat of political violence and intimidation in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, has condemned the violence, reiterating that political parties were free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities.
He, however, advised all political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and to liaise with the Police ahead of any political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements.
The PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe; said there was intelligence report, prior to the rally, indicating the likelihood of violence, consequent upon which the organisers were invited to a security meeting.
He said during the engagement, they were briefed on the identified security threats and advised against holding an open road procession, adding that the organisers were further encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where appropriate security would be provided for them.
He revealed that the party did not heed to the important security advice and proceeded with the road procession.
“At about 1215hrs, a violent incident occurred along Nnebisi road, Asaba, during which one person lost his life and five others sustained injuries. The identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained. Upon receiving a distress call, police operatives mobilised to the scene and took the injured victims to the hospital for medical attention.
“Security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area to forestall further breakdown of law and order, while investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible”, the statement added.
