Three officials attached to the office of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, were on Tuesday attacked by unidentified gunmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The officials, who formed part of an advance team on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, came under fire along the Umuowa–Ihite corridor, just a few kilometres from the airport.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2.
“In the early hours of today, December 2nd, an advance team of three members from the Office of the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State, was attacked by unidentified gunmen,” Ukoha said.
He explained that the assailants, believed to be fleeing criminals, opened fire on the vehicle conveying the governor’s aides before speeding off.
“The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State,” the statement added.
Ukoha clarified that Governor Otti was not part of the movement at the time of the attack and was therefore not involved in the incident.
He also confirmed that no lives were lost.
Security operatives in the area have since been alerted, and investigations are said to be underway to track down the attackers. The incident adds to growing concerns about sporadic armed violence in parts of the South-East.
