The Enugu State Police Command has denied reports that it arrested and arraigned a man for filming an alleged attack on a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) meeting while releasing a suspected political assailant linked to the incident.
The command described the report as “false and misleading”, insisting that the case against Ani Samuel Chidi arose from allegations of cyberbullying and threats of violence, rather than the act of recording the incident.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said Ozalla Police Division received a complaint on 12 September 2026 from Ani Nnabuike, Aninwene Monday and others against Chidi.
According to the police, the complainants alleged cyberbullying and threatening violence following Chidi’s recording and publication of the reported attack and disruption of an NDC meeting at Obuoffia-Awkunanaw, Enugu.
The command said preliminary investigations led to the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where investigators established that Chidi had also circulated videos accusing the initial complainants, Hon. USA Igwesi and Solomon Ifeanyi Nwobodo, of being responsible for the incident.
The police further alleged that Chidi had accused Igwesi of being a drug dealer who sent attackers to shoot and kill members of his community.
“He 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 statement said.
The command said Chidi was unable to substantiate the allegations during the investigation.
He was subsequently arraigned before a magistrates’ court in Enugu State on charges of cyberbullying and threatening violence and remanded in correctional custody, according to the police.
The command stressed that the case involving the alleged attack on the NDC meeting was separate from the cybercrime case against Chidi.
“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,” the statement said.
It urged the public to disregard claims that Chidi was arrested merely for filming the incident or that a suspected perpetrator was released in exchange for his arrest.
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The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and actors in the state.
He urged political stakeholders to maintain peace and channel security concerns through the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to the media or engaging in conduct that could constitute cybercrime.
