The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed reports 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 political thug linked to the incident.
The command described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that Chidi was arrested over allegations of cyberbullying and threatening violence, not merely for recording the reported attack.
In a statement issued on October 8, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the case originated from a complaint received by the Ozalla Police Division on September 12, 2026.
According to the statement, Ani Nnabuike, Aninwene Monday and others accused Chidi of cyberbullying and threatening violence following his recording and publication of the reported attack and disruption of the NDC meeting.
Ndukwe said the matter was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
He explained that investigations allegedly established that Chidi had not only recorded and published the incident but had also circulated other videos accusing the complainants, Hon. USA Igwesi and Solomon Ifeanyi Nwobodo, of carrying out the attack and disrupting the political gathering.
The police spokesman further alleged that Chidi accused Igwesi of being a drug dealer who sent attackers to shoot and kill members of his community in Obuoffia, while claiming that Igwesi and his family had kept the community under siege.
The command said Chidi was unable to substantiate the allegations contained in the videos during the investigation.
Consequently, he was arraigned before a magistrate court in Enugu State on charges relating to cyberbullying and threatening violence and was remanded in correctional custody by the court, according to the statement.
The police clarified that the case involving the alleged attack and disruption of the NDC meeting was separate from the cybercrime case against Chidi.
It said the investigation into the reported attack remained ongoing at Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, Anambra State.
The command urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting that Chidi was arrested solely 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, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and actors in Enugu State.
Giwa also urged political actors to maintain peace and channel security concerns through appropriate authorities rather than resorting to media campaigns or engaging in activities that could constitute cybercrime.
