A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi, and traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting in Enugu State. The two men were among 10 suspects reportedly taken into custody by the police over the September 12 attack at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuoffia, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The arrests were carried out on Tuesday, September 22, following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police. Detectives from the Zone 13 Command in Ukpo, Anambra State, were said to have handled the operation. The development followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on September 15 by Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, on behalf of the NDC ward in Obuoffia.
Those arrested alongside the former lawmaker and the monarch were identified as Uchenna Moses Ani, also known as Odogwu; Chidi Ani; Oko Nwodo, also known as Buzuzu; Dominic Arum, known as City Hangout; Ifeanyi Solomon Nwobodo, known as Agege; Victor Okechukwu, known as Ogboni; Nnabuike Ani, known as Stone; and John Chukuma Ogbodo. The petition accused the suspects of offences including conspiracy to commit a felony, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault occasioning grievous harm, threatening violence and stealing.
The petition centred on the violence that broke out during an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw on September 12. The meeting was reportedly attended by party members and supporters as the party intensified its grassroots activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the petition, the organisers had obtained permission from the Divisional Police Station in Agbani before the meeting.
The ward is also the home ward of the NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa. The petition alleged that a convoy consisting of three vehicles and two motorcycles passed the meeting venue while the gathering was ongoing. It further alleged that Igwe Igwesi made threats before gunshots were fired at the gathering.
Eight people were listed as victims of the alleged shooting. They include Hon. Donald Onovo, Hon. Maduka Ngene, the ward chairman; Victor Onovo; Ogbodo Gloria; Maduabuchi Ugwu; Nelson Nnaemeka; Chinonso Nwagbara; and Obinna Daniel Owo. The incident had earlier drawn the attention of the Enugu State Police Command, which confirmed that an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia had been disrupted by armed hoodlums who allegedly fired sporadically, injuring attendees.
The arrest of USA Igwesi has also attracted attention because of his current political responsibilities in Enugu. Igwesi was recently appointed the Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors. The appointment was announced on September 18 and was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his nomination by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
Key points
- A former Nigerian lawmaker and a traditional ruler are among 10 suspects arrested in connection with an attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting in Enugu State.
- The suspects were arrested following a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on September 15.
- The incident occurred on September 12, during an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuoffia, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
