Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Delta State on Monday staged a protest in Asaba, demanding justice for their colleague, Chinaza Sunday, who was killed during a political clash on Saturday.

The protesters, operating under the Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association (COMTOA), marched from Summit Road to the Delta State Police Command headquarters, carrying placards and calling for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing.

Receiving the protesters at the police headquarters, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Philip Adejo, assured them that the command would investigate the incident and ensure that justice was served.

Adejo appealed to the operators to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands, confirming that the police had received their petition.

He also encouraged the association’s leadership to meet with the police and provide any information that could assist the investigation.

Speaking on behalf of the association, a member of its Board of Trustees, Okeoghene Kingsley, said the deceased was carrying out his legitimate business when he was killed.

Kingsley described COMTOA as an organised association that had operated in Delta State for more than 30 years, maintaining that its members had continued to conduct their activities under successive military and democratic administrations.

He expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s death, insisting that the association expected the police to identify and prosecute those responsible.

He added that the association was prepared to assist investigators by providing relevant information, including video recordings and details of individuals allegedly connected to the incident.

Kingsley further rejected any suggestion that the deceased was involved in criminal activities, describing him as a commercial operator who was simply carrying out his daily business.

He maintained that members of the association were law-abiding citizens with the constitutional right to belong to political groups of their choice, provided their activities remained within the law.

The association said it would hold the police to their assurance that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

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 the Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The incident reportedly resulted in one death and injuries to several others.

The Delta State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said it had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence before the procession.

According to the police, the organisers were invited to a security meeting, where they were advised against holding an open street march and encouraged to use a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.

The command alleged that the organisers proceeded with the procession despite the warning.

The Delta State Government also blamed the organisers for disregarding the security advice, arguing that the confrontation might have been avoided if the event had been moved to a properly secured location.

However, the Nigerian Democratic Congress rejected the explanations offered by the police and state government, describing the incident as a deliberate attack on opposition supporters.

The party called for an independent investigation, demanding the arrest of those responsible and public disclosure of the identities of those killed and injured.

The police had earlier stated that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those involved.

Monday’s demonstration by commercial transport operators has added to growing demand for accountability over the incident, with the association insisting that justice must be secured for its deceased member.