By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Two police officers were reportedly shot on Sunday morning at Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a violent disruption of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi.
Ibezi, who represented Idemili North and South Federal Constituency and is currently an aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), narrowly escaped what he described as an assassination attempt.
Trouble began when Ibezi scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting for April 26. The Mayor of Idemili North LGA, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, was said to have ordered the cancellation of the meeting, citing security concerns.
On arrival at the venue—Nkwo Agbaja Civic Centre, Abatete—on Sunday, Ibezi was reportedly stopped by a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who claimed to be acting on the mayor’s directive.
Tension escalated shortly afterwards, with reports of gunfire allegedly from operatives of a local security outfit. In the ensuing chaos, two police officers attached to Ibezi were hit by bullets, while the former lawmaker escaped unhurt.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Ibezi alleged that the attack was orchestrated on the orders of the council chairman, claiming that the gunmen had targeted him but instead struck the police officers.
In a statement personally signed by him, Ibezi said:
“Earlier today, at about 6:15 a.m., I received a distress call that armed men, claiming to be operatives of the local security outfit, Udogachi, had stormed the venue of the stakeholders’ meeting I convened. Their presence created fear and was clearly aimed at disrupting a peaceful gathering.”
He further alleged that the group, led by Mr. Chima Udu—identified as a personal assistant to the mayor and a member of the NSCDC—became aggressive and began firing shots.
“They fired into the air, issued threats, and pointed weapons at me and the security personnel. In a disturbing turn, one of them fired directly in my direction, but the bullets struck two police officers instead,” he said.
Ibezi added that the attackers allegedly obstructed efforts to evacuate the injured officers, who were later taken to hospital. One of the victims, he said, was scheduled for surgery.
Condemning the incident, he described it as “a brazen act of violence and attempted assassination,” vowing to pursue justice through legal means.
“No society can progress where political disagreement is settled with bullets. Intimidation has no place in democracy,” he stated.
He also expressed concern that such violence was occurring despite efforts by the Anambra State Government to improve security across the state.
However, the Mayor of Idemili North, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, denied all allegations, describing them as “baseless and unfounded.”
Nkwoka maintained that he was not informed about the meeting and insisted that any large gathering required proper security coordination through his office.
“If he had informed me, I would have provided adequate security. As the Chief Security Officer of the council, I would have been responsible for anything that happened,” he said.
The mayor also disputed claims that police officers were shot, stating that no one was directly targeted.
“The gun was never pointed at anyone. The bullet hit the ground, and fragments grazed two security personnel, who have since been treated and discharged,” he added.
On the presence of police officers at the event, Nkwoka questioned why they were attached to a private individual, referencing a directive by the Inspector General of Police restricting such deployments.
He further dismissed allegations of political bias, stating that all aspirants in the area are given a level playing field.
“The era of rascality and thuggery is over in Idemili North,” he said.
Despite the incident, Ibezi insisted that the stakeholders’ meeting would proceed at an alternative venue, reaffirming what he described as the determination of the people to resist intimidation.
