TD Supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso reportedly confronted and repelled suspected political thugs during a mobilisation march in Warri/Effurun, Delta State, on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Videos circulating online showed a chaotic confrontation involving groups of people, with some NDC supporters seen holding sticks as they faced individuals described by witnesses as suspected political thugs.
The incident occurred amid an NDC mobilisation exercise in Delta State in support of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Multiple Nigerian media outlets have independently reported the confrontation, although details surrounding the identity of the alleged attackers and the circumstances leading to the clash remain under investigation.
Supporters reportedly come under attack
Esther Umoh, identified in reports as a photographer associated with Peter Obi, was among those who raised an alarm over the incident.
In a post on X cited by Punch, Umoh alleged that politically sponsored attackers opened fire on members of the campaign group, including members of the entourage of the NDC’s Delta State governorship candidate and supporters of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements.
A video circulated alongside the allegation showed a tense scene, with people confronting one another as supporters attempted to repel those they identified as attackers.
Punch reported hearing a voice in the footage accusing the group of being thugs and calling on supporters to confront them.
NDC candidate accuses APC, governor
Dr Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the NDC candidate for the Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, subsequently accused Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mobilising thugs against NDC supporters during the march.
According to Stone Reporters, Ominimini said the incident occurred during the party’s “1,000,000-Man March for NDC Candidates, 5-over-5” mobilisation exercise.
The report said NDC supporters, including members of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, were marching around the Warri Airport area when they were confronted by armed men described as political thugs.
The allegation against the governor and APC has not been independently established. There was no indication in the reports reviewed that the police had identified the alleged attackers as APC members.
Reports of shooting around Effurun
Separate information circulating on Friday warned residents and motorists to avoid parts of the Effurun axis, citing reports of shooting and a confrontation involving supporters of opposing political groups.
The information specifically mentioned:
- Effurun Roundabout
- Ovie Palace Road
- Jakpa Road
- PTI Junction and surrounding areas
The reports also claimed that PTI Junction was temporarily closed amid the disturbance.
However, the reports of shooting and the reported road closures had not been independently confirmed by the Delta State Police Command at the time of publication.
The locations mentioned are within the Effurun/Uvwie area. Public records confirm the existence of Ovie Palace Road by PTI Junction and several polling locations along Jakpa Road and the PTI axis.
One supporter reportedly injured
In footage and accounts cited by Nigerian media, one supporter appeared to have suffered an injury.
Stone Reporters quoted a supporter in the video as saying:
“He stabbed me. Look at the thugs, they came to attack us.”
The circumstances and extent of the reported injury could not independently be established from the available reports.
There were also no independently confirmed figures available on casualties, arrests or property damage as of publication.
Police yet to issue statement
The Delta State Police Command had not issued an official statement specifically confirming the reported political confrontation as of the latest reports reviewed.
Stone Reporters said the police had not publicly confirmed the incident or announced any arrests.
The absence of an official police account means claims concerning the alleged attackers, the use of firearms and responsibility for the confrontation should be treated as allegations pending independent confirmation.
The Delta Police Command recently commenced Operation VELVET across the state, with Commissioner of Police Samuel Etaifo Erale saying the operation was intended to strengthen security and road safety across Delta State.
Incident comes amid heightened 2027 mobilisation
The confrontation comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Obi-Kwankwaso political movement on Thursday unveiled a 59-member presidential campaign council, comprising zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.
The NDC presidential ticket is being supported by members of the wider Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements.
The reported incident therefore comes against the backdrop of increasingly active political mobilisation across Delta State and other parts of the country.
What remains unclear
At the time of filing:
- The identities of those involved in the confrontation had not been officially established.
- There was no police confirmation linking the alleged attackers to the APC.
- The reported shooting around the Effurun axis had not been officially confirmed by police.
- The number and condition of possible injured persons remained unclear.
- It was not clear whether any arrests had been made.
Authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident as investigations or official reports become available.
