From Jessica Tamaradonye, Warri
The campaign flag-off by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the October 12 by-election for Delta Central Senatorial District, Emmanuel Agwariavwodo, were Friday held hostage in the palace of the traditional ruler of Agbon Kingdom, HRH Mike Omeru by boys suspected to be in sympathy with the arrested kidnap kingpin, Kevin Oburuvbe.
Others also held hostage for several hours include the traditional ruler, some of his palace chiefs, Delta PDP leaders, mobile policemen and other party stalwarts in the entourage.
The campaign train of Agwariavwodo who flagged off his campaign on Thursday in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, had moved to neighbouring local government, Kokori, on Friday, where they were held hostage for several hours by the irate youths.
Eye witness accounts have it that the hoodlums were protesting the arrest of Kelvin and militarisation of the community.
The irate yourths vandalised and burnt several vehicles parked inside and outside the palace located directly opposite the Kokori market.
Not even the armed mobile police officers in the entourage of the PDP campaign train could offer any help as they were also held up inside the palace which was fastened with locks by the mobs suspected to be foot-soldiers of notorious kidnapper, Kelvin who was arrested few weeks ago at his hotel room in Port Harcourt.
It is on note that Kokori town has been threatened by activities of Kelvin in the past few weeks after which a curfew was declared in the troubled community by the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
As at the time of filling the report the hostages were still held up as there was no security presence to the rescue.