From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The House of Representatives aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Ifeanyi Ibezi, on Sunday morning escaped death attacked at Agbaja, Abatete, leaving two of his security aides with gunshot wounds.
Dr Ibezi, who is aspiring to represent Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, said the incident occurred at a community civic centre where he had scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting as part of his consultations ahead 2027 House of Representatives election.
He said the injured security operatives had been rushed to hospital and were undergoing surgery.
“Two of my security men were shot and wounded. They have been taken to the hospital and are currently in the theatre,” he said.
The aspirant explained that all arrangements had been concluded for the meeting when he received, on Saturday evening, a purported letter allegedly issued by the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, barring him from using the venue.
According to him, the letter was circulated on social media and was neither formally delivered to him nor verified through official channels.
He said he subsequently forwarded both the letter and his rebuttal to relevant authorities, including the state governor and party leadership.
“By about 6 a.m., I got a call that a contingent of armed men had cordoned off the premises. When I arrived, I was confronted by security operatives and local vigilantes who said they were acting on the instruction of the local government chairman to stop the event,” he alleged.
He further said that one of the operatives threatened him with a firearm, warning him against proceeding with the meeting.
“I immediately contacted the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, and other relevant authorities, including the governor. While I was on the phone, the shooting continued,” he said.
Ibezi said the shooting later turned violent, resulting in two security officers attached to him being hit by bullets.
A member of SYAN, Dr Ike Hillary Okonkwo and other stakeholders have condemned the attack in strong terms.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer(PPRO) for Anambra State command, Tochukwu Ikenga (SP) could not be reached for police reaction to the attack.