Armed thugs invaded a PDP ward meeting in Akpugo, Enugu State, shooting into the air and destroying property worth millions.
A peaceful monthly political gathering turned into a nightmare when armed men suddenly invaded a Peoples Democratic Party ward meeting in Ward 3, Akpugo community, located inside Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Party members, including men, women, and community elders, gathered in large numbers for their scheduled monthly discussions ahead of future political activities.
The unexpected disturbance happened on a weekend afternoon when two Sienna space buses and about ten motorcycles carrying many young men arrived at the venue.
Witnesses in the quiet neighborhood reported that the men wore official security vests belonging to the local government security team.
As soon as the vehicles stopped near the venue, the incoming men pulled out guns and started firing heavily into the open air to scare everyone away.
The loud gunshots created instant confusion, making people run in different directions to save their lives. Women dropped their bags, while elderly men jumped over low fences to escape getting hit by stray bullets.
While people were running away, the armed men went straight for the venue setup, smashing plastic chairs, crushing wooden tables, tearing down heavy shade canopies, and breaking sound speakers. The whole attack left properties worth millions of naira destroyed on the ground.
A local lawmaker named Honorable Nnaji Sunday Odogwu, who serves as the Minority Leader of the Nkanu West Legislative Council, was at the venue preparing for the meeting when the attackers arrived. He narrowly escaped death as security aides quickly rushed him away from the shooting zone.
Reacting to the frightening incident, party leaders condemned the violence and reassured frightened residents that those responsible would face full legal punishment.
Expressing deep sadness over the violent event, PDP governorship candidate Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji urged members to remain calm and stated that political disagreement should never turn into physical danger or fighting.
Calling for peace and law enforcement intervention, Chief Nnaji told the community that party leaders were working closely with police to catch the bad actors, noting that elections should be contested “on the basis of ideas, competence, service delivery, and the confidence of the electorate rather than fear or intimidation”.
Supporting the call for justice, PDP senatorial candidate for Enugu East, Chief Dr. Kingsley Chizoba Nweke, also visited the scene to comfort those whose properties were destroyed, warning that political thuggery will not be allowed to ruin the peace of Enugu State.
The Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups have started investigating the incident to arrest the attackers.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
