A team of journalists narrowly escaped lynching on Saturday August 1, 2026, after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked them while on official assignment in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi state.

The journalists were travelling in a branded official vehicle to cover the formal defection of Chief Ifeanyi Nworie from the All Progressives Congress (APC) back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when they came under attack.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the hoodlums, numbering over 50 and led by a lawyer, Barrister Friday Agbom, smashed the journalists’ vehicle and attempted to force their way inside.

The attackers were also said to have searched for fuel to set the vehicle ablaze before the driver manoeuvred to safety.

Sources said the assailants, some of whom wore t-shirts bearing the photograph of a serving senator, remained stationed at the entrance to the venue of the event for hours, preventing guests from gaining access.

In the course of the attack, the hoodlums allegedly descended on a passer-by, beating him severely until he reportedly fell into a nearby bush.

The event, initially scheduled to hold at the village square, was disrupted by the suspected thugs, forcing the organiser to relocate it to his residence.

However, the attackers allegedly barricaded the access road to the compound and continued assaulting people heading for the programme, blueprint.ng reports.

More than 20 armed police officers were seen at the original venue of the event, although the programme was eventually disrupted.

The incident comes weeks after the Ezza Ezekuna General Assembly reportedly issued a communiqué warning residents against supporting political parties other than its preferred platform.

When contacted, Barrister Agbom questioned why journalists should cover activities of opposition political parties in the state.

Efforts to obtain further comments from security authorities were ongoing as of the time of filing this report.