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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The advance team of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, was attacked by gunmen on its way to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State ,yesterday.
This is even as the hoodlums allegedly abducted passengers in three commuter buses travelling from Owerri to Aba at Umuowa/Ihitte communities in Ngor Okpala council area along the Owerri/ Aba Expressway.
A statement by chief press secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the advance team of three members, who were on duty at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, came under attack by gunmen.
The statement reads: “In the early hours of today, December 2, an advance team of three members from the Office of the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Alex Otti, on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State, was attacked by unidentified gunmen. The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction, Imo State.
“The general public is hereby,informed that the convoy of Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident.”
It could not be confirmed if the gunmen, who abducted passengers from the three commuter buses travelling from Owerri to Aba between Umuowa /Ihitte junction in Ngor Okpala Council, were the same gang that had earlier attacked the advance team of the Abia state governor.
It was further gathered that the gunmen, numbering about 10, attacked the three commuter buses Tuesday morning and marched all the passengers into the nearby bush .
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Henry Okoye said the incident had not been reported to the police at press time, but added that
Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical units to conduct robust fact-finding patrols along the Owerri–Aba Express Road.
He said that further details would be communicated in due course.
