A clash between the driver of the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, and a protocol officer attached to the Office of the Delta State Governor, Simon Mudi, has led to conflicting accounts of what transpired.
Mudi, popularly known as Temple, was among those injured during the incident.
The clash occurred on Sunday at the Senior Staff Club beer parlour and sit-out in Effurun, Delta State, located more than 300 metres from the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Hall, where the Delta Central All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting was held.
The incident started while the meeting was drawing to a close. However, the event itself ended peacefully and was not disrupted.
Speaking with our correspondent, the commissioner’s driver, Sunny, alleged that he was relaxing at the Senior Staff Club when Mudi walked past with a group of young men.
Sunny claimed that Mudi pointed him out to the group, after which some of the young men approached him, struck him with a chair and seized his mobile phone.
He further alleged that he confronted Mudi with the assistance of some nearby persons, resulting in a physical confrontation during which bottles were broken.
Sunny also claimed that he was struck with a rod and sustained injuries to his head and back.
He added that Mudi also sustained injuries during the incident.
Both men were later taken to hospital for treatment.
Although some persons at the scene speculated that the clash may have involved members of rival confraternities, our correspondent could not independently verify the claim, and none of the parties involved officially confirmed it.
When contacted, Mudi confirmed that he was attacked but declined to identify those responsible.
“I was attacked, and I want justice,” he said during a telephone interview with our correspondent.
Asked to identify those allegedly responsible, Mudi said he had already provided the necessary information to the police.
“I know the people who attacked me. I have given my statement to the police. Let the police do their work,” he said.
Mudi also dismissed speculation that the incident was linked to cult activities.
“I don’t know where that came from. I don’t know anything about that,” he added.
The incident later took another dimension when Commissioner Izeze alleged that he was assaulted after requesting police protection.
According to the commissioner, he contacted the Police Area Commander after receiving information that the situation had become unsafe following the clash involving his driver and Mudi.
He said the Area Commander directed the Divisional Police Officer of Effurun Police Station to evacuate him from the scene.
However, Izeze alleged that when the police arrived, they met the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni, who instructed the officers to arrest and handcuff him, claiming he was the chief security officer of the local government.
The commissioner further alleged that after he was handcuffed, some youths assaulted him, repeatedly punched him and dispossessed him of his wristwatch and ₦400,000 in cash.
He also alleged that some of the youths recorded him with their mobile phones while he was being assaulted, describing the act as an attempt to humiliate and embarrass him publicly.
According to Izeze, he did not disagree with the Uvwie council chairman and was surprised by his alleged involvement because the disagreement was between his driver and Mudi.
“I don’t have any issue with the chairman. I was shocked by what happened because the fight was between my driver and Mr Temple,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Anthony Ofoni denied any involvement in the alleged assault.
“I don’t have any business with him. If he is saying all those things, that’s his business,” the council chairman said during a telephone interview with our correspondent.
Asked about the allegation that some youths assaulted the commissioner and took his belongings, Ofoni said he had not gone into the matter.
“He has the right to say whatever he wants, whether on social media or anywhere else,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has condemned the reported violence and directed security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Aniagwu said the government was disturbed by videos of the incident circulating on social media and other online platforms.
He described the reported acts of violence, particularly the attack on Simon Mudi, as unacceptable.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration remains committed to maintaining peace, law and order and will not condone acts of violence, regardless of the status or identity of those involved.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Delta State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer over several days were not answered. A WhatsApp message sent to the police spokesperson also received no response.
When our correspondent visited the command headquarters, officials at the office of the Police Public Relations Officer said he was not available.
