On September 22, detectives from the Zone 13 Command in Ukpo, Dunukofia, Anambra State, arrested a prominent Enugu traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother, former federal lawmaker Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi, and eight other suspects over the violent attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The arrests were ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, following a petition dated September 15, 2026.
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 the suspects, in the past one week, had launched coordinated armed attacks on opposition activities in the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, aimed at silencing opposition in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
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. A convoy of three cars and two motorcycles drove past the venue, and Igwe Igwesi allegedly yelled out vicious threats. As the convoy passed, staccato gun-shots rent the air, leaving eight people with gunshot wounds.
The victims of the attack included 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 listed victims, scores of persons who attended the botched ward meeting sustained minor injuries.
Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, who wrote the petition on behalf of the NDC Obuoffia Ward, argued 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).
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. In 2005, Igwesi was implicated in the killing of a young man, Chinedu Ani, from Ugbawka. A Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the matter, but Governor Chimaroke Nnamani refused to release the report or the subsequent White Paper.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with an elderly man, Chief Onovo Oko, expressing concern over Igwesi's recent appointment as Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors by Governor Peter Mbah. This appointment has raised questions about the governor's decision to bring Igwesi back into active politics, given his past controversies.
Key points
- 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 attack on the NDC meeting left eight people with gunshot wounds and scores of others with minor injuries.
- The incident has revived allegations against Hon. USA Igwesi, who was implicated in a 2005 killing and had previously been quietly retired from active politics.
