Mr Polycarp Sola, a reporter with Eye Witness News, was reportedly attacked by thugs on May 5, 2026, during a political endorsement rally in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, held in support of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s second-term ambition.
According to media reports, the incident occurred at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, where traders and market unions gathered to publicly declare their support for the governor ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event was later disrupted by tensions linked to disagreements among factions within the traders’ associations.
Sola said he was at the venue on assignment after being invited by a market leader to cover the rally. He explained that the situation turned violent while he was recording activities at the event.
According to him, he was assaulted by some individuals at the scene, leaving him with injuries on his face. He also stated that his phone was seized during the attack, but was later recovered with the intervention of an aide to the Ebonyi State governor.
A female journalist present at the rally was reportedly stopped from recording video footage but was not physically assaulted. The situation was said to have been managed after a senior journalist at the scene stepped in to calm tensions and clarify that she was only doing her work.
