Gunmen have attacked members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a grassroots meeting at Obuoffia Ward in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
A disturbing video posted online by activist Chuks Eric shows the moment the armed men stormed the meeting while party members were singing and listening to a speaker campaigning for the party.
At least one person was reportedly shot during the attack, according to accounts from eyewitnesses in the video seen by SaharaReporters.
The incident occurred as the speaker was educating residents on how to identify and vote for the NDC by recognising the party’s logo.
In the video, the gathering could be heard chanting that the NDC was for the South-East before the attackers arrived.
Video file
A voice in the background could be heard saying, “Nobody should run, we will burn people here today. Bring the fuel.”
Despite the apparent threat, the speaker continued addressing the gathering and urged people not to run.
Moments later, gunshots were heard as people scrambled to safety.
One of the victims, who was seen with blood on his face, said he was shot multiple times.
According to him, the attackers continued shooting even after he confronted one of them.
“Odogwu, I asked him, ‘Odogwu, are you shooting at me?’ He was still shooting. He shot me on (sic) the head, but he shot my brother in the stomach.
“The first place he shot me was my neck. I feel there are still bullets inside my neck,” the victim said.
Another person at the scene, while advising the injured victim to seek medical attention, alleged that the attackers were sent by individuals identified as “Stakeholder USA Igboezi” and “Stone.”
He alleged that the two men sent “Odogwu and his gang members” to attack the gathering.
“These people were sent by ‘Stakeholder USA Igboezi and Stone’. They sent Odogwu and his gang members to come and kill their people. We know the people who did this,” he said.
The footage obtained by SaharaReporters also shows one of the victims receiving treatment at a hospital after the incident.
The victim survived the attack, according to the footage and accounts available to SaharaReporters.
The incident comes amid growing political tensions and concerns over violence targeting political gatherings in parts of the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For instance, on Saturday, suspected thugs attacked a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting in Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, vandalising properties and disrupting the gathering.
Party members who spoke with SaharaReporters said the attack heightened concerns over the safety of opposition members and their ability to freely organise political activities in the state.
The stakeholders said a similar incident occurred on August 29 during a PDP meeting in Obe Ward, Nkanu West LGA.
According to them, party members were assaulted, intimidated and brutalised, while private properties worth millions of naira were vandalised and destroyed during the attack.
They also recalled that on August 16, a PDP ward meeting in Akpugo Ward 3 was violently disrupted.
Party members at the meeting were allegedly subjected to physical assault, harassment and intimidation while participating in the party’s activities.
