NEWS
Enugu Government Breaks Silence on NDC Airport Clash, Secretariat Attack, Denies Death Report
The Enugu State Government has dismissed allegations linking it to Saturday’s incidents involving members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s state secretariat in Enugu, insisting that preliminary findings do not support claims that the government orchestrated the confrontations or that anyone died in the incidents.
The government’s position comes amid growing controversy surrounding the two separate incidents of October 10, 2026, which reportedly involved NDC members, security operatives and other parties, sparking questions about political activities, public safety and the circumstances that led to the confrontations.
Addressing journalists at the Government House in Enugu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Ọnyia, said the state administration had examined the circumstances surrounding the incidents after reports emerged allegedly associating the government with the developments.
“The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the false reports associating it with the Saturday, October 10, 2026 incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) and the party’s Enugu State Office at GRA, Enugu,” Ọnyia said.
According to the SSG, the confrontation at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport stemmed from the NDC’s alleged attempt to organise a political rally at the facility without obtaining the necessary authorisation from the relevant federal authorities.
Ọnyia explained that the party had circulated a notice inviting its members and supporters to an event described as its “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the airport. The announcement was also reportedly shared on the Facebook page of the party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State.
He said the police subsequently advised the organisers to obtain approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), particularly because of the security implications of staging a political gathering at an operational international airport.
The SSG alleged that the party failed to secure the required authorisation despite the advice given by security agencies, raising concerns about the planned mobilisation at the sensitive facility.
“Further findings, however, revealed that the NDC did not secure the approval of FAAN to host a grand statewide rally at its facility. Security agencies, therefore, advised the organisers of the rally to rethink it,” he said.
Ọnyia maintained that the airport confrontation was primarily a matter involving the NDC and the relevant federal authorities, stressing that the state government nevertheless made inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and address allegations directed at the administration.
He further alleged that NDC members proceeded to the airport despite the advice from security agencies, and that an attempt to gain access to the facility resulted in a confrontation with airport authorities.
According to him, security operatives intervened to prevent further escalation and disperse the gathering, with the objective of restoring order around the airport.
The SSG described the airport as a strategic national asset whose operations and security arrangements must be protected, particularly against activities capable of disrupting normal operations or compromising public safety.
He also said the state government’s account was consistent with the position contained in a statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
However, the government’s clarification also addressed the separate incident at the NDC state secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu, where reports of violence and alleged fatalities had generated concern.
Ọnyia said security reports available to the government indicated that a violent clash occurred at the party’s secretariat and that the police had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Providing details about the reported casualty, the SSG identified the injured party member as Ifeanyi Nworie, 43, who allegedly sustained a gunshot wound during the confrontation.
He said Nworie was initially taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, for medical attention before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for further treatment.
The government rejected reports suggesting that the incident had resulted in a death, describing such claims as inaccurate and insisting that the information available to it indicated that one party member had sustained gunshot injuries.
“We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders,” Ọnyia said.
The clarification comes as the incidents raise renewed concerns over political gatherings, security arrangements and the need for political parties and relevant authorities to adhere to established procedures when organising public events.
While the Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the confrontations and disputed reports of fatalities, the police investigation into the secretariat incident is expected to provide further details about what transpired, including the circumstances surrounding the reported gunshot injury.
The developments have placed renewed attention on the responsibilities of security agencies, political organisations and public authorities in preventing political disagreements from escalating into violence, particularly as preparations and mobilisation for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
For now, the state government maintains that the airport incident arose from an attempt to hold a rally without the required approval, while the separate clash at the NDC secretariat remains under police investigation.