….Council Chairman Denies Role, Cites Lack of Consultation
Citypost News Desk
Tension gripped Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday morning following a violent disruption of a political stakeholders’ meeting that left two policemen injured, while former member of the House of Representatives for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi, narrowly escaped what he described as an assassination attempt.
The incident occurred at Nkwo-Agbaja Civic Center, where Ibezi, an aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had convened a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 26.
Trouble reportedly began a day earlier when the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, allegedly ordered the cancellation of the meeting. Despite this, Ibezi proceeded to the venue on Sunday morning but was stopped by a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who claimed to be acting on the Chairman’s directive.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that an argument ensued at the venue, during which armed operatives of a local security outfit allegedly opened fire, causing panic. In the process, two police officers attached to the gathering sustained gunshot injuries, while Ibezi escaped unhurt.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Ibezi accused the council chairman of orchestrating the attack, alleging that the operatives targeted him but instead hit the policemen.
In a statement he personally signed, Ibezi narrated that he received a distress call around 6:15 a.m. informing him that armed men, claiming to be operatives of the local security outfit “Udogachi,” had taken over the venue, creating fear and tension.
According to him, upon arrival with police escorts, the operatives became aggressive, firing shots and issuing threats. He further alleged that the group was led by one Mr. Chima Udu, said to be a Personal Assistant to the council chairman and a member of the NSCDC.
Ibezi described the incident as a “brazen act of violence and attempted assassination,” stressing that one of the attackers fired directly at him, but the bullets struck two policemen who are currently receiving treatment, with one reportedly scheduled for surgery.
He also alleged that the attackers obstructed efforts to evacuate the injured officers by blocking exit routes and engaging in hostile confrontations.
Condemning the attack, Ibezi vowed to pursue legal action against all those involved, insisting that violence has no place in a democratic society. He further stated that the stakeholders’ meeting would proceed at an alternative venue, emphasizing that intimidation would not suppress the will of the people.
However, reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Nkwoka argued that he was neither informed nor consulted about the planned meeting, stressing that as the Chief Security Officer of the council area, he ought to have been notified to make adequate security arrangements.
“A meeting of such magnitude requires proper security coordination. If I had been informed, I would have ensured adequate security. As Chief Security Officer of the council, I would have been held responsible for any breach,” he stated.
The council boss further downplayed reports of gunfire injuries, claiming that no one was directly shot. According to him, the bullet hit the ground and only fragments affected the two policemen, who have since been treated and discharged.
He also questioned the presence of police personnel at the event, citing a directive by the Inspector General of Police restricting officers from accompanying private individuals.
On allegations of political bias, Nkwoka maintained that he remains neutral and has provided a level playing field for all aspirants, while condemning what he described as acts of “rascality and thuggery” in the area.
“The era of rascality and thuggery is over in Idemili North,” he declared.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
