Sporadic shooting erupted in Agbaja village, Abatete community of Idemili North Local Government Area in Anambra State, on Sunday morning, following a clash between security operatives and supporters of former lawmaker Ifeanyi Ibezi, who had planned to hold a stakeholders meeting to announce his intention to contest for a House of Representatives seat for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency. The incident occurred at the Agbaja Civic Hall, which had been designated as the venue for the event. Security personnel from the Agunechemba Security Outfit, deployed to prevent the meeting, cordoned off the area and attacked workers sent by Ibezi, leading to the wounding of two of his security men.
Chairman of Idemili North LGA, Stanley Nkwoka, had issued a warning the previous day, Saturday, stating that the venue was unsafe and threatening arrest for anyone attending the meeting. Despite this, Ibezi proceeded with preparations, having formally invited stakeholders to discuss his political aspiration. Upon arriving at the venue around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Ibezi was confronted by armed operatives and local vigilantes claiming to act on the chairman’s orders to stop the event. As he attempted to de-escalate the situation and contacted state security agencies—including the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, and Governor Charles Soludo—gunfire broke out, resulting in injuries to his two security personnel.
Ibezi later confirmed to journalists that the two wounded men had been rushed to the hospital and were undergoing surgery. He emphasized that he had instructed his team to remain calm and not retaliate, reaffirming his commitment to being a law-abiding citizen. He also revealed that he had been unable to reach the local government chairman, who had not returned his calls, despite the governor’s efforts to intervene. Ibezi expressed concern over the lack of communication and transparency from the chairman, suggesting the move might be politically motivated, possibly due to the chairman’s alleged role as a coordinator for another aspirant who does not want to face competition.
Journalists on the scene were also threatened by hooded operatives, who ordered them to leave or risk being shot. The Agunechemba operatives remained at the venue, blocking access to the hall. The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who noted that details were still emerging and investigations were ongoing. A source close to the situation hinted at a power struggle between Ibezi and the chairman over leadership in the area, but no official confirmation has been provided. As tensions remain high, the incident has raised concerns about political violence and the use of security forces to suppress political activities in the region. The outcome of the investigation and the political fallout could shape the dynamics of the upcoming elections in Idemili.
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