Enugu: Police detain monarch, ex-lawmaker, others over NDC attack 

Enugu monarch, ex-lawmaker, others in custody over NDC attack

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother and former member of the House of Representatives, U.S.A. Igwesi, and eight others over an alleged armed attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Enugu State.

It was learnt on Sunday that the suspects were arrested following a directive by the Inspector-General of Police to track down the perpetrators and sponsors of the attack on an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

The arrests were reportedly carried out by detectives from the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, Anambra State.

They followed a petition dated September 15, 2026, submitted to the IGP by Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, on behalf of the NDC Obuoffia Ward leadership.

The other suspects arrested alongside the Igwesi brothers were 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 Chukwuma Ogbodo.

Police sources said the suspects were being interrogated over allegations bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault occasioning grievous harm, threatening violence and stealing.

According to the petition, the incident occurred on September 12, 2026, when an armed group allegedly invaded the venue of an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, the home ward of the party’s governorship candidate.

The petition stated that the organisers had obtained prior clearance from the Divisional Police Station in Agbani before the meeting.

It alleged that three cars and two motorcycles drove through the venue while party members were gathered on both sides of the access road.

According to the petition, Obiora and U.S.A. Igwesi were among those in one of the vehicles and allegedly issued threats before gunshots were fired.

The petition further alleged that several people were hit by bullets during the attack, causing party members and sympathisers to flee, while the injured victims were subsequently taken to hospital.

Eight people were reportedly injured in the incident. They were identified as Donald Onovo, a local government ward councillor; Maduka Ngene, the ward chairman; Victor Onovo; Gloria Ogbodo; Maduabuchi Ugwu; Nelson Nnaemeka; Chinonso Nwagbara; and Obinna Daniel Owo.

The petition also alleged that one of the suspects, Uchenna Moses Ani, forcefully took N600,000 meant for logistics and transport from Onovo during the incident, while equipment hired from vendors was allegedly destroyed.

The legal representatives of the victims further alleged that the attack was part of a wider pattern of violence against opposition activities in the state.

The petition claimed that several local government areas in Enugu had witnessed what it described as coordinated armed attacks allegedly sponsored by some local government chairmen to suppress opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Igwesi brothers have previously featured in high-profile investigations.

In July 2015, it was reported that Obiora Igwesi was questioned by the then Special Anti-Robbery Squad over allegations of conspiracy, robbery and attempted assassination arising from a dispute involving the Methodist Church.

Similarly, in August 2005, U.S.A. Igwesi was implicated in the killing of 28-year-old Chinedu Ani and his friend, Chinedu Nwoye.

The incident sparked protests and led the administration of the then Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice F. Ken Ezeike.

A 2009 Amnesty International report, cited in the report of the inquiry, stated that the panel investigated allegations that Igwesi fabricated an armed robbery claim against the two men following a political disagreement.

A memorandum submitted to the panel by the then Divisional Police Officer of Ogui Road Police Station, Sam Chukwu, reportedly attributed the shooting of the two men to pressure allegedly exerted on the Anti-Robbery Squad by U.S.A. Igwesi.

Following the panel’s findings, Nnamani reportedly opposed Igwesi’s return to the National Assembly.

More recently, Obiora Igwesi was appointed chairman of the board of the New Enugu Smart City Development Authority and Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors by Governor Peter Mbah.

Enugu

A survivor of the latest attack, Chief Onovo Oko, alleged that Igwesi’s political resurgence had emboldened armed political thugs in the area.

He called for accountability for those arrested, saying this was necessary to prevent further violence in the state.

Sourced from The Punch