One person has been identified as the victim of a shooting during an attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the campaign flag-off of its Enugu State governorship candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, amid conflicting reports about whether the victim survived.
The victim was identified as Nwolle Christopher. However, his condition remained uncertain as of Sunday, with conflicting accounts emerging over whether he had died from his injuries or was still alive.
A source told SaharaReporters that although speculation suggested Christopher had died, other sources maintained that he was still alive.
“The man shot by gunmen during Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa’s campaign flag-off is Nwolle Christopher. Speculation is that he is dead but other sources said he is not dead,” the source said.
The violence reportedly occurred in two separate incidents on Saturday, first at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and later at Ohaa’s campaign office in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital.
The NDC accused suspected political thugs of attacking its supporters, alleging that the assailants operated under the protection of police officers attached to the Enugu State Government.
In a press statement signed by Hon. Sampson Ukwu, media aide to Ohaa, the party said thousands of its members, supporters of the Obidient Movement and members of the Kwankwasiya group had gathered at the airport to welcome the governorship candidate when violence erupted.
According to the statement, airport security personnel denied the supporters entry, after which suspected political thugs allegedly attacked them in the presence of police officers and other security operatives.
The party claimed that the attackers inflicted injuries on supporters by smashing their heads and bodies, while several vehicles were reportedly vandalised during the confrontation.
The NDC further alleged that police officers fired tear gas at its supporters and discharged several gunshots at the airport, triggering panic and leaving some people injured.
One of the party members, identified as Moses Arisi, reportedly sustained serious head injuries, with blood gushing from his head.
A journalist working with Signature TV was also allegedly attacked, pushed to the ground and dispossessed of his mobile phone. Other journalists covering the event were reportedly assaulted during the incident.
Despite the violence at the airport, NDC supporters subsequently moved in a large convoy to Ohaa’s campaign office in GRA, Enugu, where another gathering was taking place as part of the campaign flag-off.
The party described the turnout as overwhelming, saying almost all its candidates in Enugu State were present alongside its deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Omeje Frank, Professor Ene Nwannaji and a large number of supporters.
However, the gathering was reportedly disrupted when gunmen invaded the venue and opened fire on party supporters.
Several people were said to have been shot, including three members of the Kwankwasiya group identified as Umar Abdulkarim, Muhammad Musa and Hassan Gora.
The party also reported that another member was shot and left lying in a pool of blood before being rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
The victim was subsequently identified by a source as Nwolle Christopher, although his condition could not be independently confirmed as of Sunday.
The NDC did not explicitly name the All Progressives Congress (APC) as responsible for the attacks. However, it accused those in power of acting out of desperation and fear, alleging that the assailants were political thugs operating with police protection.
The party called on security agencies to investigate the incidents, arrest those responsible and prosecute their alleged sponsors.
Earlier accounts of the attack indicated that the gunmen arrived at the campaign gathering on a motorcycle, in a Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle and in a minibus before allegedly opening fire indiscriminately to disrupt the event.
Security personnel attached to the campaign train reportedly pursued the attackers and recovered one of the motorcycles allegedly used in the operation, while the other assailants escaped.
One party member was reportedly shot during the attack, while another sustained a machete wound.
The latest incident came shortly after a similar attack at Obuoffia, the country home of Ohaa, where gunmen reportedly invaded an NDC meeting and left several party members with gunshot injuries.
Reacting to Saturday’s violence, the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Omeje Frank, said the attacks would not discourage the NDC from pursuing its ambition of taking over the Enugu State Government House in the 2027 governorship election.
“No matter what they do, we shall go to the Lion Building (Government House) next year. Nothing will stop us,” Frank said.
Later on Saturday, Ohaa addressed journalists at his residence, calling on elders and former governors of Enugu State to remind the incumbent administration of its responsibility to protect residents and ensure public safety.
“Today’s attack at the airport and at our campaign office shows the level of desperation and fear in the camp of those in power. They are afraid of the people. They are afraid of the truth. But no amount of violence will stop the will of Ndi Enugu. We will continue this journey peacefully, lawfully, and with even greater determination until victory is secured in 2027,” Ohaa said.
Speaking during the campaign flag-off, the governorship candidate also explained his reasons for contesting the election, promising to pursue an agenda centred on the interests and welfare of Enugu residents.
“I am in this race on a clear and uncompromising mandate: to rescue Enugu State for Ndi Enugu through an issue-based campaign… Governance must serve the people, not oppress them,” he said.
Ohaa added that the party would not be intimidated by the violence, insisting that its political ambition remained unchanged.
“We will not be intimidated. The NDC remains resolute. This is a Rescue Mission for Ndi Enugu, and it will succeed,” he said.
The party urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the attacks, identify and arrest the perpetrators and their alleged sponsors, and ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice.
“Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa and the NDC remain firmly committed to the MEGA agenda: Make Enugu Great Again. No amount of thuggery or intimidation will stop the march of the people,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, had not responded to inquiries regarding the incidents.
Calls to his mobile telephone line and a message sent to the command’s official account had reportedly gone unanswered.
The circumstances surrounding the attacks, the identities of those responsible and the condition of the reported shooting victim remained unresolved as of Sunday.