Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A political gathering in Abatete community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, turned bloody on Sunday morning when operatives of the state‑backed Agunechemba Security Outfit opened fire, wounding two policemen attached to a former lawmaker. The incident occurred at Agbaja Civic Hall, where Ifeanyi Ibezi, a former member of the House of Representatives, had scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting to formally announce his intention to contest for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
The trouble began on Saturday when the Chairman of Idemili North LGA, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, issued a warning against the meeting, citing unspecified safety concerns about the venue. He threatened to arrest anyone who attended. Undeterred, Ibezi proceeded with his plans. However, early Sunday morning, armed operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit were deployed to the venue, cordoning off the area and attacking workers who had been sent to prepare the hall.
When Ibezi arrived at about 6 a.m., he was confronted by the armed men, who claimed they were acting on the orders of the local government chairman. While Ibezi was on the phone with the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, and the governor, the shooting intensified. According to Ibezi, two police officers attached to his security detail were shot. “We have video evidence of the entire incident,” he told journalists later. He added that he immediately instructed his men not to retaliate, saying, “I am a law‑abiding citizen and will not take the law into my own hands.”
The injured officers were rushed to a hospital and were said to be undergoing surgery. Earlier versions of the incident had mistakenly reported deaths, but Ibezi confirmed they were wounded. “Two of my security personnel were shot and injured. They have been taken to the hospital and are currently in surgery,” he said. The Agunechemba operatives, some of them hooded, remained at the venue after the shooting, denying entry to anyone. They also threatened journalists, ordering them to leave or risk being shot.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said details were still sketchy, but an investigation had been launched. No arrests have been reported as of Sunday evening. The police commissioner is yet to issue a formal statement.
The reason for the local government chairman’s opposition to the meeting remains unclear. A source suggested a political rivalry between Ibezi and Nkwoka, with Ibezi speculating that the chairman might be acting as a coordinator for another candidate and does not want competition. “As of this morning, I have been unable to reach the mayor, and he has not returned my calls. The governor is aware and is trying to contact him as well,” Ibezi said. Attempts to reach Chairman Stanley Nkwoka for comments were unsuccessful.
The Agunechemba Security Outfit was established by Governor Chukwuma Soludo as part of a broader security initiative to combat kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes. However, Sunday’s incident raises questions about the use of state‑backed security personnel to enforce political directives. Human rights lawyer Emeka Nwachukwu told this reporter that “deploying armed security to disrupt a political meeting, even if the chairman claims security concerns, is a dangerous precedent. The proper recourse is to seek a court order or to deploy police in a neutral manner.”
The incident has heightened political tension in Idemili North and South as the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum. Ibezi, who previously represented the constituency, is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the ruling party in Anambra. His return bid appears to be encountering resistance from within the party’s local structure. Analysts note that the shooting could further polarise the party ahead of the primaries.
The injured policemen are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Their families have been notified, and the police command has promised to cover their medical expenses. Ibezi has called on the Inspector‑General of Police to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation. “I will not be intimidated. I will pursue my political ambition within the law. Those who resort to violence must be brought to justice,” he said.
As of Sunday evening, the Agunechemba operatives had withdrawn from the venue, but the civic hall remained locked. No further skirmishes were reported. The Anambra State Government has not issued an official statement, but a source in the governor’s office said the matter is being reviewed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of merging state security with partisan political interests. For now, the two wounded policemen lie in hospital, collateral damage in a political quarrel that should have been resolved through dialogue, not bullets.
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