The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading a report alleging that it arrested and arraigned Ani Samuel Chidi for filming an attack on a New Democratic Congress (NDC) meeting at Obuoffia-Awkunanaw, while releasing an alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) hitman linked to the incident.
The Command, in a press statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said Ani was arrested and prosecuted over alleged cyberbullying and threatening violence, rather than for filming the reported attack.
According to Ndukwe, Ozalla Police Division received a complaint on September 12, 2026, from Ani Nnabuike, Aninwene Monday and others against Ani Samuel Chidi, following his recording and publication of the reported attack and disruption of the NDC meeting.
He said preliminary investigation led to the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where investigators established that Ani had not only recorded and published the incident but had also circulated other videos allegedly making accusations against the complainants, Hon. USA Igwesi and Solomon Ifeanyi Nwobodo.
“The facts are that, on 12th September 2026, Ozalla Police Division received a complaint from Ani Nnabuike, Aninwene Monday and others against Ani Samuel Chidi, alleging cyberbullying and threatening violence following his recording and publication of the reported attack and disruption of an NDC party meeting at Obuoffia-Awkunanaw, Enugu,” Ndukwe said.
He added that Ani allegedly made further claims in the videos against Igwesi, including an allegation that he was a drug dealer who sent attackers to shoot and kill members of his own community.
“The suspect further falsely alleged in the videos that Mr. Igwesi is a drug dealer who sent the attackers to shoot and kill his own people in Obuoffia, and that he and his family have kept the community under siege,” the police spokesperson said.
Ndukwe said Ani was unable to substantiate the allegations during the investigation and was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Enugu State on charges of cyberbullying and threatening violence.
He said the court ordered that the suspect be remanded in correctional custody.
The Command, however, stressed that the case concerning the alleged attack and disruption of the NDC meeting is separate from the cybercrime case involving Ani and remains under investigation at Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, Anambra State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the case concerning the alleged attack and disruption of the NDC party meeting is separate from the cybercrime case against Ani Samuel Chidi and remains under investigation at Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, Anambra State,” Ndukwe said.
The Command urged members of the public to disregard claims that Ani was arrested simply for filming the incident or that an alleged perpetrator of the attack was released in exchange for his arrest.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, mspsp, smicm, according to Ndukwe, reiterated the Command’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field for all political parties and political actors in Enugu State.
Giwa also urged political actors to maintain peace and channel security concerns through the appropriate authorities instead of resorting to the media or engaging in conduct that could amount to cybercrime.
The statement was signed by SP Daniel Ndukwe, mnipr, mnisma, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
