Altercation at Manchester Edo Community Event Draws Police Response

A community gathering of Edo indigenes in Manchester, United Kingdom, was disrupted over the weekend following an altercation involving UK-based activist Albert Obaze and a man commonly referred to online as “Double Chief.” Footage of the incident has circulated widely on social media, prompting discussions across the Nigerian diaspora.

Incident Overview

The confrontation occurred during a political and social event attended by Edo community members, some of whom had gathered to meet former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki. Videos published on various platforms appear to show a man approaching Mr. Obaze and striking him, leading to a brief but intense disturbance inside the venue. Attendees can be heard calling for calm as several individuals moved quickly to intervene.

According to commentary accompanying the circulating clips, the tension stemmed from longstanding disagreements within the diaspora community regarding Edo State politics. Mr. Obaze is known for publicly supporting Mr. Obaseki, while “Double Chief” has been associated with opposing viewpoints. Prior to the event, unverified audio messages shared online appeared to contain threats directed at Mr. Obaze.

Police Response

Additional video footage taken after the altercation shows uniformed UK police officers present outside the venue. The officers are seen engaging with attendees, gathering information, and attempting to de-escalate the situation. Social media users have claimed that an arrest was made, but these assertions originate solely from user-generated posts and remain unconfirmed.

Some online reports suggest that police acknowledged receiving a report of an assault and indicated that enquiries were ongoing. These accounts do not include direct statements from law enforcement, nor do they reference an official release from the police.

Absence of Formal Police Statement

A review of publicly available information indicates that Greater Manchester Police have not issued any official statement naming those involved or confirming the details of the incident. No formal press release or police bulletin has been located as of the time of publication.

Community Reaction

The incident has prompted significant discussion on social media, particularly among members of the Edo diaspora. While some commentators have condemned the physical confrontation, others have expressed concern over the rising level of hostility within political debates online. Community leaders have called for restraint and have urged individuals to refrain from spreading unverified claims.

Next Steps

It remains unclear whether any arrests were made or whether further police action will follow. Observers within the community have encouraged all parties to cooperate fully with any ongoing enquiries and to prioritise dialogue over confrontation as the situation develops.