Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha narrowly escapes convoy attack by gunmen….
On Friday, as former governor Rochas Okorocha’s convoy was returning to Enugu after dropping him in Owerri, they encountered a sudden hail of gunshots at Ihube, located along the Okigwe-Enugu Expressway.The hoodlums, who probably saw the convoy when it was en route to Owerri might have thought that the former governor was in the convoy when it was going back to Enugu.
Though he escaped by the whiskers, a policeman in the escort vehicle was killed.In an unfortunate incident, former governor Rochas Okorocha’s convoy came under attack from gunmen as they were traveling back to Enugu after dropping him in Owerri. The attack took place at Ihube, along the Okigwe-Enugu Expressway on Friday. It was revealed that the Ihube axis had been plagued by the activities of terrorists who had been carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom.
Okorocha confirmed the incident during the birthday anniversary celebration of Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Imo State. He expressed surprise and sadness over the attack, particularly the killing of a police officer. The officer was part of the security detail deployed from the Enugu State Government House to accompany Okorocha to the burial ceremony of the mother of the immediate past governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha.
Okorocha explained that he had been in Enugu attending the funeral ceremony of the wife of former senate president Ken Nnamani. After completing the funeral events in Mbaise, the convoy dropped him at his residence in Owerri and was returning to Enugu when the attack occurred.
Expressing his frustration, Okorocha stated that he had felt safe during his time in Enugu but was shocked that the attack happened in his own state. He expressed his anger over the situation in Imo State and criticized some individuals running for governorship, but also acknowledged a candidate who he believed was suitable for the position.
According to one of Okorocha’s aides, the convoy vehicles, including a sports utility vehicle, a bus, and a Hilux, were riddled with bullet holes. Two other security agents were reportedly kidnapped by the gunmen but were fortunately released later that same day.
Efforts to reach the police spokespersons in both Imo and Enugu States for comment were unsuccessful as their calls went unanswered.
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