By Okey Maduforo Awka.
Two policemen were this Sunday morning shot by suspected local Vigilante operatives at Abatete in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state while a former member of the Federal House of Representatives for Idemili North and South Constituency Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi who is an aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) escaped the death by whiskers on that fateful day.
Trouble started when Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi had fixed a meeting for the stakeholders of Idemili North and South local government areas billed to hold on the 26th of April being Sunday and the Mayor of Idemili North local government area Chief Stanley Nkwoka was alleged to have ordered cancellation of the meeting.
The following day this Sunday Ibezi arrived at the venue of the meeting but was stopped by a Civil Defense personnel who claimed that he is acting based on the orders of the Council Mayor Nkwoka.
At the peak of the argument, there were gunshots from the local security operatives which was alleged to have hit two policemen at the venue while Ibazi escaped the bullet of the operatives .
According to Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi who spoke to reporters at the scene of the incident at Nkwo- Agbaja Civil Center Abatete alleged that the Council Mayor Nkwoka ordered the attack adding that the operatives aimed at him but the two policemen took the bullets
According to a statement signed by by Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi himself it stated that ;
“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, Udogachi, had stormed the venue of the stakeholders’ meeting I had convened for today”
“Their presence immediately created fear, tension, and a deliberate attempt to disrupt what was intended to be a peaceful and lawful gathering”
“Upon arriving at the venue, accompanied by police officers assigned to provide security, I asked why they were there. Rather than offer any lawful explanation, the group became violently aggressive”
” They began firing gunshots into the air, issuing threats, and pointing weapons in the direction of both myself and the security personnel on duty”
“The group was led by Mr. Chima Udu, Personal Assistant to the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, and a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)”
“In light of the threatening public letter issued by the Mayor the previous day, it became unmistakably clear that this attack was a dangerous escalation of those earlier threats”
“In order to prevent loss of life and avoid further chaos, I withdrew from the immediate scene while contacting the relevant security authorities”
” Shockingly, the armed men reeking of alcohol at the early morning continued their intimidation, firing sporadic gunshots and terrorising everyone present”
“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”
” As efforts were made to evacuate the injured officers for urgent medical attention, the attackers reportedly blocked the exit route and delayed our departure through threats and hostile confrontation”
“The two injured police officers have since been taken to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. One of them is to undergo a surgery.”
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms this brazen act of violence and attempted assassination. It is criminal, barbaric, and a direct assault on peace, democracy, and the rule of law in Idemili Federal Constituency”
As a law-abiding citizen committed to democratic principles, I will pursue every legal means necessary to ensure that all those responsible—both sponsors and perpetrators — are brought to justice. No society can progress where political disagreement is answered with bullets, intimidation, and bloodshed.
“It is deeply regrettable that while His Excellency, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is working tirelessly to secure lives and property across Anambra State, a local government Mayor appears determined to drag our communities backwards through violence and lawlessness.
Let it be known clearly: intimidation has no place in democracy, and violence cannot silence the will of the people”
“The stakeholders’ meeting will proceed today at another venue. The collective resolve of the people of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency cannot, and will never, be suppressed by acts of aggression”he narrated .
But the Mayor of Idemili North local government area Chief Stanley Nkwoka dismissed those allegations contending that it is the end of rascality and thuggery in the Council Area.
“The allegations are unfounded and baseless and for record purposes Ifeanyi Ibezi said that he is convenig a stakeholders meeting to discuss about the two Council Areas of Idemili North and South without recourse to the office of the Mayor and I was not informed by him about that ”
“A meeting of this nature that would attract a large number of people needs adequate security and had it been that he informed me I would have provided security and should anything happening there I would be held responsible as the Chief Security Officer of the Council Area ”
The issue of policemen that were shot is not true because the gun was never pointed at anyone but the bullet hit the ground and the pallets touched the two security men who have been treated and discharged”
“Again what is he doing with policemen when the Inspector General of Police had issued an order withdrawing the police personnel from following private citizens”
On the allegation that the Mayor is supporting another aspirant, Nkwoka noted that;
“I am the Mayor and every aspirant is given a level play ground to contest a d there is no way that I would have taken sides with any of them and the accuser is known for thuggery and want to make it clear that the era of rascality and thuggery is over in Idemili North” he said.
