Enugu king, ex-lawmaker, and others arrested over NDC attack

The Nigeria Police Force has detained a traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother and former member of the House of Representatives, U.S.A. Igwesi, along with eight others. They were arrested for an alleged armed attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State.

PUNCH Metro learned on Sunday that the arrests happened after the Inspector-General of Police ordered the search for those responsible for the attack during an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Detectives from the Zone 13 Command in Ukpo, Anambra State carried out the arrests. This followed a petition dated September 15, 2026, from Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, on behalf of the NDC Obuoffia Ward leadership.

The other suspects arrested with the Igwesi brothers include 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 they are interrogating the suspects over claims of conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, threatening violence, and theft.

The petition mentioned that the incident occurred on September 12, 2026. An armed group reportedly invaded the venue of an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, where the party’s governorship candidate is from.

According to the petition, the organizers had cleared the meeting with the Divisional Police Station in Agbani beforehand. It was claimed that three cars and two motorcycles drove through the venue while party members gathered on both sides of the road.

The petition stated that Obiora and U.S.A. Igwesi were in one of the vehicles and allegedly made threats before gunshots rang out. It also claimed that several people were shot during the attack, causing chaos as party members and supporters ran away. The injured were later taken to the hospital.

Eight people were reported injured in the attack. They included Donald Onovo, a local government 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 suspect, Uchenna Moses Ani, took N600,000 meant for logistics and transport from Onovo during the incident. It was claimed that equipment rented from vendors was also damaged.

The legal team representing the victims argued that the attack was part of a larger trend of violence against opposition groups in the state. They claimed that many local government areas in Enugu have seen coordinated armed attacks, allegedly backed by some local government chairmen to silence opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

PUNCH Metro has not independently verified these claims. The Igwesi brothers have been involved in past high-profile investigations.

In July 2015, PUNCH Metro reported that Obiora Igwesi was questioned by the then Special Anti-Robbery Squad over claims of conspiracy, robbery, and attempted assassination linked to a dispute with the Methodist Church.

In August 2005, U.S.A. Igwesi was implicated in the murder of 28-year-old Chinedu Ani and his friend, Chinedu Nwoye. This incident led to protests and resulted in the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry by then Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani.

A 2009 Amnesty International report stated the panel looked into claims that Igwesi made a false armed robbery claim against the two men due to a political disagreement. A memo from the then Divisional Police Officer of Ogui Road Police Station, Sam Chukwu, reportedly said that U.S.A. Igwesi pressured the Anti-Robbery Squad regarding the shooting of the two men.

After the panel’s findings, Nnamani reportedly opposed Igwesi’s return to the National Assembly. Recently, Obiora Igwesi was made 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.

Chief Onovo Oko, a survivor of the recent attack, claimed that Igwesi’s political comeback has empowered armed political thugs in the area. He called for accountability for those arrested, stressing that this is needed to stop further violence in the state.