Three staff members attached to the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, were on Tuesday morning attacked by unidentified gunmen near the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The incident, which occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction—just a short distance from the airport—took place while the officials were en route to the facility for official duties.
Sources told newsmen that the attackers, suspected to be fleeing gunmen, opened fire on the vehicle conveying the aides as they approached the airport corridor.
Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the affected officials were part of an advance team and not the governor’s convoy.
Ukoha stated, “In the early hours of today, December 2nd, 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.
“The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State.”
He further clarified that Governor Otti was not involved in the incident and that no casualties were recorded.
“The general public is hereby informed that the convoy of Governor Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
The Imo State Police Command had yet to comment on the attack as of the time of filing this report.