The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into an alleged shooting near the secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu, which reportedly left a man injured and damaged five parked vehicles.
The command also confirmed that joint police and military operatives dispersed suspected NDC members following a disturbance at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on Saturday.
The incidents occurred on October 10, amid activities involving members of the political party in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged shooting and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to identify and arrest those responsible.
According to the statement, the shooting occurred at about 2:30 p.m. in front of the NDC secretariat when unidentified armed hoodlums allegedly opened fire.
A man repairing a vehicle parked along the road sustained a suspected gunshot injury, while the windscreens of five parked vehicles were damaged during the incident.
The police said operatives responded to a distress call, restored normalcy at the scene and evacuated the injured man to a hospital for treatment.
The victim was reported to be in stable condition as of the time of the statement.
The command said the investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the shooting and bringing the suspected perpetrators to justice.
Police, military disperse NDC members at airport
In a separate incident, joint security operatives dispersed suspected NDC members who gathered at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The police said preliminary findings indicated that airport authorities had restricted the party members from entering the facility in large numbers to receive their governorship candidate.
The restriction reportedly triggered a misunderstanding among the party members, which later escalated into a fight and necessitated the intervention of security operatives.
The command did not disclose the number of people involved in the disturbance or whether any arrests were made.
CP warns political parties against violence
Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and in accordance with the law.
Giwa reiterated the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties ahead of political activities in the state.
He also urged political organisations to inform the police of their planned events to enable the command to make adequate security arrangements and prevent breakdowns of law and order.
The police further called on party leaders to caution their supporters against violence and comply with existing peace accords.
