RismadarVoice Reporters
September 13, 2026
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into separate attacks on political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents, which occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, involved an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and a planned Peoples Democratic Party rally at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
According to the police, armed hoodlums allegedly stormed the NDC meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia and opened sporadic gunfire, leaving two attendees injured.
At Agbani, another group of hoodlums allegedly attacked the venue prepared for the PDP rally, destroying canopies and chairs arranged for the political gathering.
The police have not identified the attackers or established their political affiliation. However, the incidents have generated allegations of possible involvement by suspected political thugs linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
The command said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the attacks and would determine those responsible.
The police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of Commissioner Giwa.
Ndukwe said the Commissioner had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into both incidents and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.
A video circulated online by activist Chuks Eric showed armed men allegedly storming the NDC gathering while members were singing and listening to a speaker campaigning for the party.
At least one person was reportedly shot during the incident, according to eyewitness accounts associated with the video.
The attack reportedly occurred while the speaker was explaining to residents how to identify the NDC on the ballot by its logo and vote for its candidates.
Members of the gathering could also be heard chanting that the NDC was for the South-East shortly before the armed men arrived and disrupted the meeting.
Confirming the incident, the police said the first attack occurred at Ndiuno-Obuoffia, where armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted the NDC ward meeting through sporadic shooting and injured two participants.
The command also confirmed the second incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, where hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs prepared for the PDP rally.
Police operatives were subsequently deployed to both locations to prevent further violence, secure the areas and pursue suspects who fled after the attacks.
The command, however, disclosed that neither of the political gatherings had been formally reported to the police ahead of the events, and no request for police security coverage had been made by the organisers.
The police said the absence of prior notification made it more difficult to provide security arrangements for the gatherings.
Commissioner Giwa warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He reiterated his earlier directive to political party leaders that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner also reminded political actors that electoral offences remain punishable under Nigerian law and warned against intimidation, violence, destruction of property or any action capable of undermining public order and the electoral process.
Giwa urged political parties and organisers of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to notify the police in advance so that adequate security arrangements could be made.
He assured residents that the command would continue to provide a secure environment for lawful political activities while taking decisive action against individuals who violate the law.
The latest incidents have raised concerns over the security of grassroots political mobilisation in Enugu as parties step up activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The police investigation is expected to establish the identities and motives of those involved, as well as determine whether the two attacks were connected.
