Three staff members attached to Abia State Governor Alex Otti were attacked on Tuesday morning by unidentified gunmen near Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, a short distance from the airport, while the team was en route for official duties. Sources told The Telegraph that the attackers, suspected to be fleeing gunmen, opened fire on the vehicle conveying the aides as they approached the airport corridor.
Governor Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, confirmed the attack, clarifying that the affected officials were part of an advance team and not the governor’s convoy.
“In the early hours of today, December 2, 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 emphasized that the governor was not involved in the incident and that no casualties were recorded. “The convoy of Governor Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Police Command had not issued a comment on the attack.
