Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected local security operatives shot two policemen on Sunday morning in Abatete community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a violent confrontation over a proposed stakeholders’ meeting. The incident occurred at Agbaja village when operatives of the state‑backed Agunechemba Security Outfit were deployed to prevent former lawmaker and House of Representatives aspirant, Dr. Ifeanyi Ibezi, from holding a political gathering.
The violence erupted when Ibezi, who is seeking to return to the House of Representatives for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), arrived at the Agbaja Civic Hall venue early Sunday morning. According to multiple reports, he was confronted by armed security personnel and local vigilantes who claimed they were acting on the instructions of the Idemili North Local Government Chairman, Chief Stanley Nkwoka.
It is alleged that Nkwoka had issued a warning on Saturday, stating the venue was unsafe and threatening to arrest anyone who attended the meeting. When Ibezi arrived at the scene, he was immediately attacked. The confrontation escalated, leading to a gunfight that resulted in two police officers attached to the lawmaker being shot and wounded. Ibezi himself narrowly escaped the gunfire.
In a statement, Ibezi detailed the terrifying sequence of events. “Earlier today, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at about 6:15 a.m., I received an urgent distress call that a group of armed men, claiming to be operatives of the local security outfit, had stormed the venue of the stakeholders’ meeting I had convened,” he said. He claimed the men began firing gunshots into the air, issuing threats, and pointing weapons in his direction. “In the most disturbing turn of events, one of the assailants fired directly in my direction. Unfortunately, the bullets struck two police officers on duty, leaving both wounded.”
Ibezi has pointed an accusing finger at the LG Chairman, stating, “We have video evidence of everything that happened,” and alleging that the attack amounted to an attempted assassination orchestrated by Nkwoka.
However, Chairman Stanley Nkwoka has denied the allegations and offered a starkly different version of events. He claimed he contacted Ibezi and advised him to postpone the meeting to allow for adequate security arrangements, which the aspirant refused. He argued that he acted within his mandate as the chief security officer of the LGA to prevent a security breach. “When you plan a stakeholders’ meeting to decide the fate of Idemili North and South, and you choose to hold it in my town without proper security, it is wrong. I am the first person to be held accountable in the event of any breach,” Nkwoka said.
The police have confirmed the incident. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that details were still sketchy, but an investigation has been launched. The injured police officers are currently receiving medical treatment, with one reportedly undergoing surgery. Despite the severity of the incident, authorities have yet to make any arrests in connection with the shooting.
The incident has highlighted the intense political rivalry as the 2027 general elections approach. A source cited by Daily Post alleged that the conflict may stem from a tussle between Ibezi and Nkwoka over who is the legitimate political leader of the area, with Ibezi claiming the chairman is working as a coordinator for a rival candidate and does not want to be challenged.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments