One Killed, Five Injured In Delta NDC Rally Attack

One person has been killed and five others injured after violence erupted at a political rally organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Asaba, Delta State. The rally, organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of the party’s presidential candidate, was held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, along Nnebisi Road. The incident reportedly involved an attack on members of the Obidient Movement, with the Delta State Deputy Coordinator, identified simply as Comrade Noah, among those injured. He was reportedly stabbed with daggers and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), while several other members also sustained injuries. The National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement, Dr Mo, disclosed the attack in a statement condemning the violence and demanding an investigation into the incident. However, the Delta State Police Command, in its account of the incident, confirmed that one person was killed and five others injured but did not identify the victims or establish who was responsible for the violence. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the Command had received intelligence reports indicating the possibility of violence ahead of the rally. He said the police subsequently invited the organisers to a security meeting, where they were briefed about the identified threats and advised against holding an open-road procession. According to the police, the organisers were encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided. However, the Command alleged that the organisers disregarded the advice and proceeded with the road procession. The violence reportedly broke out at about 12:15 p.m. along Nnebisi Road, leaving one person dead and five others injured. The police said operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call and evacuated the injured victims to a hospital for medical attention. Security presence was subsequently reinforced in the area to prevent further violence and maintain law and order. The Command said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible. Reacting to the attack, Dr Mo questioned the consequences of inflammatory statements and threats allegedly made by political leaders against opposition members, warning that such rhetoric could encourage violence against political opponents. “They hit us with daggers!” he said. He specifically referenced alleged threats by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains involving AK-47 rifles, inflammatory comments attributed to serving senators and remarks by political leaders about driving opposition members out of their states. “When a President makes statements suggesting that all is fair in politics, what message does that send?" he asked. “When APC chieftains openly threaten opponents with AK-47s, when serving senators make inflammatory statements against the opposition, and when political leaders talk about driving opposition members out of their states, what do we expect? “This is how political violence is normalised. This is how intimidation becomes acceptable, and how a nation slides towards anarchy.” He argued that statements from political leaders could embolden their supporters to attack and intimidate opponents. “Words from people in power carry consequences. When political leaders legitimise aggression, their followers may interpret it as permission to attack, intimidate, destroy and even kill,” he said. The group demanded an immediate investigation into the attack and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted. It also demanded accountability over the injuries sustained by Noah and other victims, insisting that Nigerians must be able to participate in political activities without fear of violence. “Nigeria must not become a country where the price of participating in democracy is a dagger in the stomach or a bullet in the chest,” Dr Mo added. The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the violence, stressing that political parties remained free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities. He, however, urged political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and liaise with the police ahead of political gatherings to ensure adequate security arrangements. Erale assured residents that the Command would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. He also appealed to members of the public with relevant information to assist the police with their investigation. The incident comes amid growing concerns over political violence and intimidation ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.