Enugu Police Deny Arresting Man for Filming NDC Meeting Attack, Cite Cyberbullying

The Enugu State Police Command has denied reports that it arrested and arraigned a man for filming an attack on a political meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the suspect is facing allegations of cyberbullying and threatening violence over videos he allegedly circulated after the incident.

The Command, in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described reports suggesting that the suspect, Ani Samuel Chidi, was arrested merely for recording the disruption of the political gathering as false and misleading.

According to the police, Chidi was arraigned before an Enugu State Magistrate Court over allegations arising from videos he allegedly published in connection with the incident, rather than for recording the attack itself.

The clarification comes amid controversy surrounding the disruption of an NDC meeting at Obuoffia-Awkunanaw, Enugu State, on September 12, 2026, with competing narratives emerging over the circumstances of the incident, the conduct of those involved and the police response.

Earlier reports had alleged that Chidi was detained for filming the disturbance while a suspected assailant linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was released. The police rejected that account, insisting that it misrepresented the basis of the suspect's prosecution and improperly conflated separate investigations.

Police Trace Case To Residents' Complaint

Ndukwe explained that the matter originated from a formal complaint received by the Ozalla Police Division from residents following the circulation of videos relating to the September 12 incident.

The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

According to the police, investigators found that the allegations against Chidi went beyond the recording of the political disturbance, claiming that he subsequently circulated videos in which he accused the complainants, alongside Hon. USA Igwesi and Solomon Ifeanyi Nwobodo, of orchestrating the attack.

The Command further alleged that the suspect used the videos to make serious accusations against Igwesi, including claims that he was a drug dealer who deployed attackers to shoot members of his own community and kept the locality under siege.

The police said Chidi was unable to substantiate the criminal allegations during interrogation, a development it cited in explaining why the matter proceeded to prosecution.

The allegations against the suspect, however, remain distinct from any determination of guilt by a court. The police account represents the findings and position of the investigating authorities, while the criminal charges are subject to judicial proceedings.

Police: Recording An Incident Is Not The Basis Of Prosecution

The Command's clarification seeks to distinguish between documenting a potentially violent political incident and allegedly using recordings of that incident to circulate accusations or threats against other individuals.

By insisting that Chidi was charged over alleged cyberbullying and threats of violence, the police maintained that the prosecution should not be interpreted as an attempt to criminalise the act of recording the disruption of a political meeting.

Nevertheless, the circumstances have raised questions about the need for transparency in investigations involving politically sensitive incidents, particularly where the conduct of political actors and the actions of law enforcement agencies are being publicly contested.

In such cases, the credibility of the police response depends not only on official statements but also on the availability of verifiable evidence, the impartial application of the law and the ability of all parties to present their accounts through appropriate legal channels.

The police said Chidi had been arraigned before a Magistrate Court and remanded in correctional custody in connection with the allegations.

Attack On NDC Meeting Under Separate Investigation

The Command stressed that the prosecution of Chidi was separate from the investigation into the disruption of the NDC meeting at Obuoffia-Awkunanaw.

According to Ndukwe, the investigation into the political incident is being handled independently by the Zone 13 Police Headquarters in Ukpo-Dunukofia, Anambra State.

The distinction is significant because the criminal allegations against the man who circulated the videos do not, in themselves, resolve questions about the attack on the political gathering, the identity of those responsible or whether any individuals should be held accountable for the disruption.

The separate investigation is expected to address the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the facts concerning those who may have participated in or facilitated the attack.

The Command's statement did not, in the account provided, establish the final outcome of that investigation or announce any conclusion regarding the alleged involvement of persons affiliated with either political party.

Consequently, the allegation that a suspected assailant linked to the APC was released remains a separate claim that requires independent verification and should not be treated as established fact solely on the basis of the competing reports.

Police Commissioner Warns Against Misinformation

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reiterated the Command's commitment to providing a fair and secure environment for political activities in Enugu State.

He cautioned political actors against using the media to disseminate misinformation or engaging in conduct that could violate cybercrime laws.

The police leadership maintained that political disagreements and allegations arising from contentious incidents should be addressed through lawful procedures rather than through the circulation of unsubstantiated claims.

The warning comes as political parties and their supporters intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which incidents involving party meetings, allegations of intimidation and disputes over the conduct of political opponents could become increasingly sensitive.

However, the need to curb cyberbullying and the deliberate dissemination of false information must be balanced with the protection of legitimate reporting, public-interest documentation and the right of citizens to scrutinise events involving political organisations and public officials.

A clear distinction is therefore necessary between demonstrably false allegations or unlawful threats and the bona fide recording, publication or discussion of events of public interest.

Transparency Key To Public Confidence

The controversy surrounding the Obuoffia-Awkunanaw incident highlights the importance of credible investigations when political violence allegations intersect with questions about freedom of expression and police conduct.

While the police have offered their explanation for Chidi's arraignment, the investigation into the disruption of the NDC meeting remains a separate matter whose findings will be important in establishing accountability.

For public confidence to be sustained, the authorities will need to ensure that the investigation into the political incident is thorough, impartial and guided by evidence, irrespective of the political affiliations of those who may be implicated.

Equally, allegations of cyberbullying and threats of violence must be tested through due process, with the accused afforded the protections guaranteed under the law.

The central issue, therefore, extends beyond whether a man was arrested after recording a political disturbance. It concerns the need to establish what happened at the NDC meeting, determine whether anyone committed an offence and ensure that both the investigation and any subsequent prosecution are conducted fairly.

The Enugu State Police Command has maintained that Chidi's case concerns his alleged conduct after the incident, while the attack itself remains under a separate investigation at Zone 13 Headquarters.

The outcome of that investigation, together with the judicial determination of the charges against Chidi, will be essential to resolving the competing accounts surrounding the incident.