₦airaland Forum

Two suspected political thugs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were killed after they attacked the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Ezza South Constituency, Mr Rollins Offia Nwali, security sources have told SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters gathered that the incident happened on Thursday afternoon when Nwali’s motorcade was returning from Amazekewe community.

Insider sources told SaharaReporters on Friday that security details attached to the NDC candidate, after securing the safety of Nwali and his team, engaged the hoodlums, who were allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns. The security operatives returned fire, killing one of the attackers at the scene, while the second reportedly died in hospital.

Sources identified one of the attackers who died during the exchange of fire as Jude Nwamgbada.

“They are the same APC people that attacked journalists in September. They attacked NDC House Assembly candidate but DSS officers attached to him repelled them and killed one. The second one is also alleged to have died this morning in hospital though I don't have concrete confirmation of his death. This one that died on the spot is Jude Nwamgbada,” a source said.

Meanwhile, Nwali has confirmed the attack in a post shared on his Facebook page, appealing to youths not to allow themselves to be used by individuals desperate for political power who have no genuine plans for them or their families.

Giving details of the incident, he wrote: “My motorcade was attacked today by armed hoodlums who opened fire on our vehicles while we were returning from Amazekewe. My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack. Thankfully, we are all safe, and I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of the security agencies who ensured our safety.

“I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families. Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable.

“I want to appeal to our young people to please understand what we have been saying. Do not allow yourselves to be used by individuals desperate for political power who have no genuine plans for you or your families. No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition.

“As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course.

“Thank you all for your concern and support.”

SaharaReporters could not immediately independently verify the identities or party affiliations of the attackers.

The Ebonyi attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting the NDC and its supporters in Nigeria’s South-East, particularly in neighbouring Enugu State, where the party has accused the ruling APC of orchestrating a sustained campaign of intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On October 10, 2026, suspected political thugs attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu, as they gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

Video footage obtained by Premium Times showed supporters scampering for safety amid sporadic gunfire, with at least one suspected thug seen striking an NDC supporter with a plank in front of an army officer who did nothing to intervene.

Amnesty International later condemned the “ruthless attack,” noting that the violence was part of a troubling pattern targeting opposition members in Nigeria.

The violence continued at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Enugu, where the party had planned its campaign flag-off. Armed hoodlums opened fire at the scene, leaving one man repairing a vehicle with a gunshot injury and damaging five parked cars.

The Enugu State Police Command said it had ordered an investigation into the shooting.

The attacks claimed the life of Nworie Christopher, an NDC member from Affa in Udi Local Government Area, who was shot during the assault on the party’s campaign office and later died from his injuries. The NDC described the killing as “a dangerous escalation of political violence against the opposition in the state,” with Ohaa vowing that the party would not be silenced.

The Enugu violence was not isolated. The NDC has also alleged that on September 12, 2026, armed attackers stormed a ward meeting at Obuoffia in Nkanu West, leaving eight members with gunshot injuries.

The Obidient Movement subsequently accused the APC of political violence in Enugu, warning against anarchy and demanding the release of a young man reportedly arrested after recording the Nkanu attack.

The Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the attacks, with Governor Peter Mbah vowing to prosecute those responsible for the airport and secretariat violence.

But the NDC has insisted that the repeated assaults point to a broader pattern of state-backed intimidation, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into both the October 10 incidents and the earlier Obuoffia attack.

Meanwhile efforts to speak with the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Command's spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu, did not take his calls as at the time of filing this report. He also did not reply to a message sent to him.