Ibagwa Opi Attack: ADC’s Ocho Visits Eze-Igwe Ezugwu, Pledges Security Overhaul

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chief Obodoeze Chukwuma Ocho, has visited the palace of Eze-Igwe Williams Ezugwu to commiserate with the traditional ruler and residents of Ibagwa Opi following a deadly attack in the community.

Ocho, who is the ADC candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election, met with Eze-Igwe Ezugwu, the Eze Ogbozarra III of Opi Ancient Kingdom and Igwe of Ibagwa Opi, at his palace in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area.

The visit followed an attack in the monarch’s domain in which two youths were reportedly killed while three others were abducted.

According to a statement from the Igwe’s Palace Media Manager, Uba Ugwueze, one of the abducted victims was later shot dead in the bush by the attackers. Two of the abductees were reportedly structural engineers working at the site of the ongoing construction of the monarch’s new palace at Amukpa, Ibagwa Opi.

The remaining two victims were said to have escaped after their captors reportedly fell asleep.

The attack formed part of wider security concerns around the Opi-Nsukka axis. An earlier report on the violence said armed men had intercepted travellers along the Ugbogogo–Opi–Nsukka Road before moving into Ibagwa Opi, where additional victims were abducted and two people were killed.

Speaking during the condolence visit, Ocho said his primary reason for visiting was to express sympathy to the monarch, the affected families and the wider community.

The ADC candidate also clarified that although he had informed the traditional ruler of his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, the visit was not aimed at seeking political endorsement or royal blessings.

He said the timing was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the community while the monarch was mourning the victims and supporting their bereaved families.

Ocho, who hails from Aku in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, also pledged that security would be a major priority of his administration if elected governor.

He specifically promised to tackle insecurity affecting communities along the Opi-Ugwuogo-Nike-Nsukka axis, an area that has come under increasing concern over attacks and abductions.

The ADC candidate said he would return to the palace at the appropriate time to formally seek the monarch’s royal blessings for his political journey.

In response, Eze-Igwe Ezugwu commended Ocho for identifying with the community during what he described as a difficult period.

The monarch also acknowledged the Enugu State Government’s acquisition of high-technology security drones and other security equipment, but called for the equipment to be deployed promptly whenever emergencies occur.

Ezugwu, however, expressed concern over what he described as an inadequate government response to the Ibagwa Opi attack.

He said that, as of the time of Ocho’s visit, neither the Enugu State Government nor the Nsukka Local Government had personally commiserated with the community over the deaths and abductions.

The monarch appealed to authorities to ensure that security interventions reached affected communities quickly, regardless of their location within the state.

The development comes as insecurity remains a major issue in parts of Enugu State, with residents and community leaders calling for stronger intelligence gathering, faster emergency response and greater protection of lives and property.

For Ocho, the incident has further reinforced his campaign emphasis on security, which he has previously identified as a central component of his proposed administration. His campaign has also outlined community policing and technology-driven security measures as part of his broader security agenda.