The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has raised the alarm over a fresh attack on one of its members, Mr. Chidi S. Ani, by suspected thugs allegedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area, barely two weeks after previous attacks on the party in the area.
Obuofia is the home town of the NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters and signed by Hon. Sampson Ukwu, Media Aide to Ohaa, the party said Ani, the star witness in a petition relating to an earlier attack on an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuofia, was riding his motorcycle on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when he was pursued from Akegbe-Ugwu by two men identified as Nnabuike Ani, aka Stone, on a motorcycle, and Ifeanyi Nwobodo, aka Agege, in a Lexus vehicle.
The NDC alleged that the attackers, described as suspected APC thugs, caught up with Ani at Omuoha Market Square, Obuofia, and knocked him into a gutter.
According to the party, the reason the men allegedly gave for the attack and attempted abduction was the viral video Ani recorded on the Ihuani Awkunanaw attack.
In that video, which SaharaReporters previously published, Ani reportedly named Nnabuike Ani as one of those who attacked NDC members at Ihuani, Obuofia, Nkanu West. Nnabuike Ani is reportedly claiming that he was falsely accused, a matter the police are presently investigating.
The NDC said Ani’s only saving grace was the timely presence of NDC members, including Hon. Donald Onovo, a surviving victim of the earlier gun attack, and other youths and elders at the market. When there was a reported attempt to take him to an unknown destination, party members insisted that the police be involved.
“It is, therefore, deeply troubling that officers of the Ozalla Police Station, who were alerted, arrested and detained the victim, Mr. Chidi S. Ani, and, as at the time of this statement, he remains in custody at the station, while the two men accused of assaulting and abducting him were allowed to go free,” the statement said.
The party identified the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) on the case as Ekene Igwe of Ozalla Police Station, describing the development as a grave reversal of justice.
Reacting to the incident, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa said: “I condemn this attack in the strongest of terms. Obuofia is my home town, and it is painful that our people are being abducted and beaten on their own streets for speaking up. No victim should be treated as a suspect for seeking protection.
“Violence and intimidation have no place in our politics. I call on the police to act swiftly, fairly and without fear or favour. Ndi Enugu deserve a state where every citizen can go about their lawful business in safety.”
The NDC demanded the immediate release of Ani, a star witness in a pending police investigation of the shooting at the NDC ward meeting in Ihuani Awkunanaw, Nkanu West LGA, who it said has committed no known offence.
It also called for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into both the Ihuani attack and the latest incident, and the prosecution of any person found culpable.
The party further urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police to review the handling of the matter by Ozalla Police Station and IPO Ekene Igwe, whom the party members accused siding APC, to ensure that justice is done. It also demanded adequate protection for Ani, other NDC members and witnesses in Obuofia and its environs.
The NDC said it remains a peaceful and non-violent political party, but would not stand by while its members are harassed for seeking justice, “least of all in the home town of our Governorship Candidate.”
“Ndi Enugu are watching. Justice delayed must not become justice denied,” the statement added.
The latest incident is the second reported attack on NDC members in Obuofia in two weeks. The party’s ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw was attacked two weeks ago, leaving members with gunshot injuries. Ani, who is the star witness in the police petition over that attack, was reportedly targeted for recording a viral video in which he named one of the alleged attackers.
The NDC has repeatedly accused the police of failing to protect its members and witnesses, even as the case remains under investigation. The development is expected to heighten political tension in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
