For stories, adverts, & ENQUIRIES, wHATSAPP US @ +2347036240302
BREAKING: Police Arrest Enugu Traditional Ruler, Ex-Lawmaker, 8 Others Over Attack On NDC Meeting
BREAKING: Police Arrest Enugu Traditional Ruler, Ex-Lawmaker, 8 Others Over Attack On NDC Meeting
POLITICS
The Nigerian Record
9/27/20264 min read
A prominent Enugu traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother, former federal lawmaker Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi, popularly known as USA Igwesi, and eight other suspects have been arrested over the violent attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
SaharaReporters gathered that their arrests on Tuesday, September 22, ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, were executed by detectives from the Zone 13 Command in Ukpo, Dunukofia, Anambra State. This followed a petition dated September 15, 2026, written by Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, on behalf of the NDC Obuoffia Ward, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Sources told SaharaReporters on Sunday that those arrested alongside the traditional ruler and the former lawmaker include Uchenna Moses Ani (alias Odogwu), Chidi Ani, Oko Nwodo (alias Buzuzu), Dominic Arum (alias City Hangout), Ifeanyi Solomon Nwobodo (alias Agege), Victor Okechukwu (alias Ogboni), Nnabuike Ani (alias Stone), and John Chukuma Ogbodo.
In the petition obtained by SaharaReporters, the suspects were accused of "conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful possession of fire-arms, attempted murder, assault occasioning grievous harm, threatening violence and stealing."
The petition alleged that "in the past one week, the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas of Enugu State have witnessed co-ordinated armed attacks sponsored by the Chairmen of Local Governments in Enugu State... aimed at silencing the opposition activities in the State in the run-up of 2027 general elections in Nigeria."
According to the petition, the attack occurred on September 12, 2026, when party members gathered at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuoffia, for a ward meeting. The petitioners stated that they "had duly obtained permission from the Divisional Police Station, Agbani" ahead of the meeting, noting that the ward is the home ward of the NDC's governorship candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
The petition alleges that a convoy of three cars and two motorcycles drove past the venue. As the convoy passed, "Igwe Igwesi yelled out vicious threats and tantrums to these effect (sic): 'We will spill blood, and nothing will happen'. 'We will kill Donald Onovo'."
"As the political party members watched in awe and stupefaction, staccato gun-shots rent the air. Screaming of persons hit by bullets enveloped the gathering," the petition added.
The attack reportedly left eight people with gunshot wounds: Hon. Donald Onovo, Hon. Maduka Ngene (Ward Chairman), Mr. Victor Onovo, Madam Ogbodo Gloria, Mr. Maduabuchi Ugwu, Mr. Nelson Nnaemeka, Mr. Chinonso Nwagbara, and Mr. Obinna Daniel Owo.
The petition added that "apart from the afore-listed victims, there abound scores of persons, who attended the botched ward meeting, sustained minor injuries."
Chief Ike, SAN, argued in the petition that the actions of the suspects constitute crimes contrary to Section 494 of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Enugu State, 2004; Section 3 of the Fire-Arms Act; Section 275 of the Criminal Code Law (attempted murder); Section 290 (assault occasioning grievous harm); and Section 126 (threatening violence).
"It is fitting in the circumstance, that the suspects are brought to book to edify the laws of Nigeria and stem their actions from snow-balling into lawlessness as the 2027 general election approaches," the petition stated.
The arrest of Hon. USA Igwesi, former member of the House of Representatives for Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency and current Chairman of the New Enugu Smart City Development Authority, has revived grave allegations from his past.
Igwesi, who was recently appointed Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a role approved by President Bola Tinubu following his nomination by Governor Peter Mbah, now faces renewed scrutiny over a dark chapter dating back to 2005.
That year, Igwesi was implicated in the killing of a young man, Chinedu Ani, from Ugbawka, an incident that sparked widespread protests across Enugu. Then-Governor Chimaroke Nnamani established a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice F. Ken Ezeike, to investigate the matter.
According to a 2009 Amnesty International report, Ani (28) and his friend Chinedu Nwoye (25), who had previously worked for Igwesi during his election campaign, approached him seeking financial assistance. Following an argument, Igwesi allegedly drove away. Later, he reported to Ogui Road Police Station that he had been attacked by armed robbers sent to assassinate him.
When Igwesi subsequently saw Ani and Nwoye driving past the station, he reportedly alerted the Anti-Robbery Squad. Amnesty International documented that the squad pursued the vehicle and shot the two unarmed men without verifying the complaint.
A memorandum submitted to the Commission by the DPO of Ogui Road Police Station, Mr. Sam Chukwu, stated that Igwesi accompanied the police to the scene where the men were shot and later dumped in the boot of a police vehicle. Most significantly, the DPO attributed the shooting to pressure exerted on the squad by Igwesi, noting that the killings could have been avoided.
The Commission of Inquiry completed its work in November 2005 and submitted its report to the Enugu State Government. However, Governor Nnamani refused to release the report or the subsequent White Paper. Instead, Igwesi was quietly retired from active politics when he was denied a return ticket to the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, an elderly man, Chief Onovo Oko, who said he narrowly escaped being shot at Ihuani Awkunanaw on the day of the recent attack, told SaharaReporters: "Successive saner governments under Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi avoided USA Igwesi like a leper until Governor Peter Mbah emerged, dusted him as the 2027 election approaches, made him Board Chairman of New Enugu Smart City Development Authority, and recently elevated him to Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors."
Saturday's attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents targeting opposition political gatherings in Enugu State.
SaharaReporters had previously reported that gunmen recently attacked NDC members and supporters during a grassroots meeting at Obuoffia Ward in Nkanu West.
A disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the moment armed men stormed the meeting while party members were singing and listening to a speaker campaigning for the NDC.
The NDC subsequently accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State of sponsoring the thugs who attacked its members. The party also released the names of eight members who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
SaharaReporters also reported a separate attack on a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at St Joseph Primary School, Agbani, in Nkanu West, where hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs prepared for the gathering. The Enugu State Police Command confirmed both attacks and ordered a thorough investigation.