The Abia State Government has confirmed the early-morning attack on an advance protocol team of Governor Alex Otti in Imo State.
It said that no casualty was recorded in the incident which occurred on Tuesday, as the gunmen opened fire on their vehicle.
According to the state government, the incident occurred along the Umuowa–Ihite corridor, a route leading to the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport in Owerri.
The three-man team was travelling ahead of the governor’s scheduled movement when the assailants ambushed their vehicle shortly before the airport junction.
However, in an official statement signed and released electronically by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the government dispelled circulating rumours claiming that Governor Otti’s convoy had been attacked.
He said that the governor’s main convoy was not on the road, was not targeted, and was nowhere near the scene when the shooting occurred.
According to the statement, no member of the advance team sustained any form of injury, and the attackers fled without inflicting physical harm on anyone.
The government urged members of the public to dismiss sensational and misleading reports aimed at causing panic or political tension.
Security agencies have since launched a full-scale investigation to track down the perpetrators of the attack.
Authorities assure that all efforts are being intensified to uncover those behind the shooting and bring them to justice.
The Abia State Government expressed gratitude for the safety of its officials and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the protection of all public servants carrying out official duties.
