Two Policemen Shot In Anambra As Ndi Udo-ga-Achi Disrupt Meeting For House Of Representatives Aspirant’s Declaration Bid
Two Policemen Shot In Anambra As Ndi Udo-ga-Achi Disrupt Meeting For House Of Representatives Aspirant’s Declaration Bid
Tension gripped parts of Anambra State on Sunday following a violent disruption of a political gathering that left two policemen injured, in what has been described as a troubling sign of rising political friction ahead of future electoral contests.
The incident occurred at Agbaja village in Abatete, located in Idemili North Local Government Area, where a stakeholders’ meeting convened by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, was scheduled to hold. The meeting was intended to serve as a platform for the formal declaration of his ambition to contest for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat.
However, the planned political event was abruptly halted following the deployment of operatives of a local vigilante outfit, reportedly acting on the directive of the local government chairman, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, who had earlier warned that the meeting should not take place, citing security concerns and threatening arrests.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that armed operatives stormed the venue in the early hours of the day, cordoning off the area and preventing access to participants and journalists. The situation quickly degenerated into chaos when gunshots rang out during a confrontation between the security personnel attached to the aspirant and the vigilante operatives.
In the ensuing violence, two policemen said to be part of Ibezi’s security detail were shot and sustained serious injuries. They were immediately rushed to a medical facility, where they reportedly underwent emergency treatment.
Speaking after the incident, Ibezi alleged that the attack was a deliberate attempt on his life, claiming that the gunmen fired directly at him before hitting the policemen. He described the disruption as a calculated effort to silence his political ambition and intimidate his supporters.
“I was to hold a peaceful meeting with stakeholders to discuss my aspiration, but armed men invaded the venue and opened fire. My security aides were shot while trying to protect me,” he stated.
Contrasting accounts have since emerged from local authorities. The council chairman, through allied sources, denied authorising any violent action, insisting that the intervention was aimed solely at preventing a gathering deemed unsafe. Some reports also suggested that the injuries sustained by the policemen may have resulted from stray pellets rather than direct targeting, although this remains contested.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the occurrence of the incident but noted that full details are still being compiled as investigations continue.
The episode underscores growing concerns over the militarisation of local political activities and the involvement of non-state security actors in electoral processes. Analysts warn that such developments, if unchecked, could heighten political instability as preparations for upcoming elections intensify across the country.
Observers further note that the clash reflects deeper power struggles at the grassroots level, where local authorities and political aspirants increasingly rely on parallel security structures, raising questions about command responsibility and the rule of law.
As investigations unfold, stakeholders are calling for restraint, accountability, and strengthened oversight of security operations to prevent a recurrence of such violence in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
