Police order investigation into shootings at Enugu NDC secretariat

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, has ordered an investigation into shootings by unidentified hoodlums at the secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the state.

The state police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that there were sporadic shootings at the NDC secretariat in Enugu State on Saturday during the party’s governorship campaign flag-off.

Apart from the secretariat, this newspaper reported that suspected political thugs also attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene.

The NDC supporters had attempted to gather at the airport to welcome the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa.

Damage vehicles

Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the attack occurred at about 2:30 p.m.

The spokesperson said a man repairing a vehicle parked along the road sustained gunshot injury during the incident and that gunshots damaged the windscreens of five vehicles parked along the area.

“Upon receiving a distress report, police operatives promptly moved to the scene, restored normalcy and rushed the injured victim to a hospital, where he is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

“The commissioner of police has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to identify and apprehend the perpetrators,” he said.

The airport incident

Mr Ndukwe said the airport incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. and that a combined team of police and military dispersed the NDC members “who gathered in a disorderly manner at the entrance” of the airport.

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“Preliminary findings indicate that airport authorities restricted the party members from entering the airport in large numbers to receive their governorship candidate.

“A misunderstanding reportedly arose among the party members and escalated into a fight, prompting the intervention of the joint security operatives,” he said.

The spokesperson said the state commissioner of police has reiterated the need for political parties and their members to shun violence and conduct their activities in accordance with the law and existing peace accords.

The police chief, according to the statement, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties.

He urged political parties to notify the police of their planned activities to facilitate adequate security arrangements.