Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi, popularly known as USA Igwesi, and traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting in Enugu State.

The two men were among 10 suspects reportedly taken into custody by the police over the September 12 attack at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuoffia, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

It was.gathered that the arrests were carried out on Tuesday, September 22, following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police.

Detectives from the Zone 13 Command in Ukpo, Anambra State, were said to have handled the operation.

The development followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on September 15 by Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN, on behalf of the NDC ward in Obuoffia.

Those arrested alongside the former lawmaker and the monarch were identified as Uchenna Moses Ani, also known as Odogwu; Chidi Ani; Oko Nwodo, also known as Buzuzu; Dominic Arum, known as City Hangout; Ifeanyi Solomon Nwobodo, known as Agege; Victor Okechukwu, known as Ogboni; Nnabuike Ani, known as Stone; and John Chukuma Ogbodo.

The petitioner accused the suspects of offences including conspiracy to commit a felony, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault occasioning grievous harm, threatening violence and stealing.

However, the allegations remain subject to police investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.

The petition centred on the violence that broke out during an NDC ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw on September 12.

The meeting was reportedly attended by party members and supporters as the party intensified its grassroots activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the petition, the organisers had obtained permission from the Divisional Police Station in Agbani before the meeting.

The ward is also the home ward of the NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

The petition alleged that a convoy consisting of three vehicles and two motorcycles passed the meeting venue while the gathering was ongoing.

It further alleged that Igwe Igwesi made threats before gunshots were fired at the gathering.

The petition quoted him as allegedly saying: “We will spill blood, and nothing will happen”. “We will kill Donald Onovo”.

It alleged that the situation quickly turned violent as gunshots were fired into the gathering.

“As the political party members watched in awe and stupefaction, staccato gun-shots rent the air.

Screaming of persons hit by bullets enveloped the gathering,” the petition stated.

Eight people were listed as victims of the alleged shooting. They include Hon. Donald Onovo, Hon. Maduka Ngene, the ward chairman; Victor Onovo; Ogbodo Gloria; Maduabuchi Ugwu; Nelson Nnaemeka; Chinonso Nwagbara; and Obinna Daniel Owo.

The petition also claimed that several other people who attended the meeting suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The incident had earlier drawn the attention of the Enugu State Police Command.

The command confirmed that an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia had been disrupted by armed hoodlums who allegedly fired sporadically, injuring attendees.

Police Commissioner Mamman Bitrus Giwa subsequently ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to book.

The police also said its operatives were deployed to the affected locations after receiving reports of the incidents.

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

The September 12 incident was not the only political gathering disrupted in Nkanu West that day.

A separate Peoples Democratic Party rally at St Joseph Primary School, Agbani, was also reportedly attacked, with canopies and chairs prepared for the event destroyed.

The police confirmed that both incidents were being investigated.

Following the NDC attack, Ohaa condemned the incident and said the party would continue its activities despite the violence.

“The entire NDC family in Enugu State remains 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 arrest of USA Igwesi has also attracted attention because of his current political responsibilities in Enugu.

Igwesi was recently appointed the Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

The appointment was announced on September 18 and was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his nomination by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.Government

He is also the Chairman of the New Enugu Smart City Development Authority.

Igwesi previously served as a member of the House of Representatives representing the Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency and as Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly.