The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has released the names of eight members who it said sustained gunshot injuries when hoodlums suspected to political thugs attacked its monthly ward meeting in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The victims identified by the party are Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.

The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday afternoon at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuofia, the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and hometown of the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

In a statement issued by Ohaa’s Media Aid, Hon. Sampson Ukwu, and made available to newsmen, the campaign said NDC members had gathered for the party’s state-wide monthly ward meeting when armed hoodlums allegedly invaded the venue and opened fire.

The statement said, “The following 8 persons sustained gunshot injuries,” before listing the names of the victims.

The party also alleged that canopies, chairs and other political materials were vandalised and destroyed during the attack.

“This is a clear act of political thuggery and an attempt to intimidate members of the opposition through violence,” the statement said.

The NDC further claimed that Saturday’s attack was part of a pattern of attacks on its political activities in Nkanu West, alleging that similar incidents had earlier occurred in Akpugo and Obe wards.

“It follows a disturbing pattern of similar attacks earlier witnessed in Akpugo and Obe wards in Nkanu West Council Area, where peaceful political gatherings were disrupted with gunfire and destruction of property,” the party alleged.

The party condemned the attack as “barbaric” and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.

“We call on the Enugu State Police Command, the Department of State Services, DSS, and all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this attack, fish out the perpetrators, and bring them to justice,” the statement said.

“The lives of our members matter.”

Gunmen attacked NDC members and supporters during a grassroots meeting at Obuoffia Ward in Nkanu West on Saturday.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the moment armed men stormed the meeting while party members were singing and listening to a speaker campaigning for the NDC.

The speaker was educating residents on how to identify and vote for the party by recognising its logo when the gathering was disrupted.

At least one person was initially reported to have been shot during the attack based on eyewitness accounts contained in one of the video clips seen by Saharareporters.

The video also showed members of the gathering chanting that the NDC was for the South-East shortly before the attackers arrived.

The Enugu State Police Command subsequently confirmed that an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia was disrupted by armed hoodlums who allegedly fired sporadically, injuring two attendees.

The police also confirmed a separate attack on a Peoples Democratic Party rally at St Joseph Primary School, Agbani, in Nkanu West, where hoodlums destroyed canopies and chairs prepared for the event.

Following the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to “thoroughly investigate” the attacks and ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

The police said its operatives were deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches and track down fleeing suspects.

The Command, however, noted that there had been “no prior notification or request for police security coverage for either gathering.”

Reacting to the latest attack, Ohaa warned that the NDC would not be intimidated from participating in the 2027 electoral process.

“The entire NDC family in Enugu State remain undeterred. We will not be intimidated. We will not abandon our people,” Ohaa said.

He added, “We will continue our peaceful and issue-based campaign until the will of Ndi Enugu prevails in 2027.”

The NDC governorship candidate also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.

The party said the incident violated the constitutional rights of citizens to life and peaceful association, citing Sections 33 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.