One person has died and five others were injured in Asaba, Delta State, after violence broke out during a procession by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), according to the Delta State Police Command.
The incident happened on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at about 12:15pm along Nnebisi Road. It involved a procession by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of the NDC’s presidential candidate.
What police say
Delta Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe confirmed the casualties and said an investigation has begun. According to him, the command had intelligence of a likely breakdown of order before the event. Police invited the organisers to a security meeting, where they were advised not to hold an open road procession and to use a designated venue with security cover instead.
Police say the organisers “ignored this important security advice” and went ahead with the procession.
After a distress call, officers were deployed to the scene and the injured were taken to hospital. Security in the area has since been beefed up. Police say the identities of the dead and the injured have not yet been established, and the cause of the violence and the people behind it are still under investigation.
Delta State Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale condemned the violence. He said political parties are free to carry out lawful campaigns and other political activities, but should avoid road processions and coordinate with the police before holding gatherings.
What the NDC says
The party gives a different account. It described the incident as a planned and unprovoked attack on a peaceful “One Million Man March,” and said: “This was not a clash. This was not a misunderstanding.”
The NDC alleged that armed attackers carrying sticks, knives and machetes disrupted the procession. It also claimed that dozens of campaign vehicles were vandalised or destroyed, and that several supporters were injured and are receiving treatment in different parts of the state. The party did not give a specific number.
It called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those responsible. It also urged supporters to stay calm and not retaliate, saying the party would respond “through the ballot box.”
What remains unclear
- The identity of the person who died and of those injured.
- Who carried out the attack. The reports reviewed do not say whom police suspect.
- Whether any arrests have been made.
- The vehicle damage and the injury numbers beyond the police count. These come from the NDC alone and have not been confirmed by police.
Why it matters
Violence at political gatherings is a recurring concern in Nigerian politics, and it raises fresh questions about how political parties and security agencies coordinate public events. Police and the NDC disagree on how the procession was organised, and the investigation is expected to clarify what happened.
Information for police
Anyone with information that can help the investigation is asked to contact the Delta State Police Command on 09155570008 or 09155570007.
