2027: Enugu Government Alleges Opposition Plot to Import Armed Thugs, Bandits

The Enugu State Government has accused some opposition elements of plotting to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state to create panic and undermine public confidence in security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, made the allegation on Sunday while addressing journalists at the Government House in Enugu.

His remarks followed two incidents involving members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, including a confrontation at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and a shooting incident at the party’s state secretariat in Enugu.

Onyia denied allegations that the state government or Governor Peter Mbah’s Chief Security Officer, Ifeanyi Osondu, was involved in either incident.

Regarding the airport confrontation, the SSG said preliminary findings indicated that the NDC had attempted to organise a statewide campaign rally at the facility without obtaining the necessary approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He said security agencies had advised the party to secure the required authorisation before proceeding with the event. According to him, the confrontation occurred when party members attempted to gain access to the airport.

On the shooting at the NDC secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu, Onyia said the police were investigating the incident.

He identified an injured party member as 43-year-old Ifeanyi Nworie, who sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital for treatment. The government disputed reports of a fatality, saying its findings indicated that no one had died.

Onyia also rejected claims that the governor’s chief security officer supervised the shooting, maintaining that the official was with Mbah at a political rally at Okpara Square when the incident occurred.

The SSG accused opposition elements of attempting to portray Enugu as insecure and the state government as intolerant of political dissent. However, the allegations concerning plans to import armed groups were not independently substantiated in the government’s public account.

He urged political parties and candidates to avoid violence and focus on issue-based campaigns, stressing that residents must be able to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.

The government said maintaining peace and security was essential to attracting investment and achieving its ambition of developing Enugu into a $30 billion economy.

The police investigation into the secretariat incident remained ongoing at the time of the government’s statement.