Just In: Gunmen attack Abia gov’s staff members in Imo
By Wellington Jopelo
Three aides to Abia State Governor Alex Otti came under attack on Tuesday morning near Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State, in a shocking incident that raised fresh security concerns.
The unidentified gunmen targeted the team while they were on official duties, just as they approached the airport corridor between Umuowa and Ihite junction.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the affected aides were part of an advance group preparing for official engagements at the airport. Governor Otti was not in the vehicle at the time, and fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported during the attack.
The office described the assailants as unknown individuals, noting that the motives behind the shooting remain unclear. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the gunmen fired at the vehicle from close range before fleeing the scene, leaving the aides shaken but unharmed.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary assured the public that the main convoy was not involved and that security measures have been reinforced for all government personnel traveling to and from official functions.
Authorities in Imo State have yet to issue an official comment, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. Security operatives are reportedly tracing the movements of the gunmen and reviewing CCTV footage in the area.
Residents and travelers in the airport corridor have been urged to exercise caution while the police and government security teams intensify patrols. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of public officials on routine assignments outside their home states.