Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Delta State have protested in Asaba over the killing of their colleague, Chinaza Sunday, during a political clash at the weekend.
The protesters, operating under the Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association (COMTOA), marched from Summit Road to the Delta State Police Command headquarters on Monday, demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The operators carried placards and insisted that Sunday was carrying out his legitimate business when he was killed.
Receiving the protesters, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Philip Adejo, assured them that the command would investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
Adejo confirmed that the police had received the association’s petition and urged the demonstrators to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.
He also encouraged COMTOA leaders to provide investigators with any useful information that could help establish what happened.
Association offers evidence to police
Speaking on behalf of the association, a member of its Board of Trustees, Okeoghene Kingsley, described the killing as unjustified.
He said Sunday was at his duty post when he met his death, adding that the association was prepared to assist the police with relevant evidence, including video recordings and information about those allegedly involved.
Kingsley rejected suggestions that the deceased was a criminal or political thug, insisting that COMTOA members were engaged in legitimate businesses.
He also defended their right to support political organisations of their choice, provided they operated within the law.
The protest followed a violent confrontation on Saturday, November 7, along Nnebisi Road in Asaba, during a procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The incident reportedly left one person dead and five others injured.
Police, government blame organisers; NDC demands probe
The Delta State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said it had received intelligence suggesting the possibility of violence ahead of the procession.
According to the police, the organisers were invited to a security meeting and advised against holding an open street march. The command alleged that the advice was disregarded.
The Delta State Government also blamed the organisers, arguing that the confrontation could have been avoided if the procession had been moved to a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be made.
However, the Nigerian Democratic Congress rejected the accounts presented by the police and state government, describing the incident as a deliberate attack on opposition supporters.
The party called for an independent investigation, the arrest of those responsible and public disclosure of the identities of those killed and injured.
The police had earlier said the identities of the victims were yet to be established, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.
COMTOA said it would hold the police to their assurance that the killing of its member would be thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to justice.
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