Suspected political thugs on Friday attacked a team of journalists in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in what the reporters described as a “narrow escape from death.”
The journalists were driving in a branded official vehicle to cover a political event organised by Chief Ifeanyi Nworie, who was formally defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nworie had invited the journalists to cover the event.
Eyewitnesses said the thugs, numbering over 50 and led by a lawyer from the local government, swooped on the journalists as they drove into the venue.
The attackers reportedly smashed the vehicle with stones and other objects in an attempt to force their way in. They were said to be looking for fuel to set the vehicle ablaze before the driver manoeuvred his way out and escaped.
“They were hitting the vehicle badly and looking for fuel to burn us inside. If not for the driver’s quick thinking, we wouldn’t be here to tell this story,” one of the journalists said.
In the ensuing chaos, the thugs also descended on a man who was passing on the road and beat him until he fell into the bush.
The event was initially billed to hold at a village square by the roadside in the community. However, following the attack, the organiser decided to shift it to his compound.
But the thugs reportedly went to the road leading to the compound, barricaded it, and started attacking people coming for the event.
Over 20 armed policemen were seen stationed at the playground where the programme was originally billed to be held.
The police were yet to issue an official statement on the incident at press time.
The attack comes amid heightened political activities in Ebonyi State ahead of 2027, with defections and counter-defections rocking both the APC and PDP in the state.
Chief Nworie could not be reached for comments as at press time.
