A tragic incident occurred on Friday when gunmen attacked the convoy of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, resulting in the death of a police officer, News About Nigeria reports.
Ihube community along the Okigwe-Enugu expressway was the location of the tragic incident.
This particular stretch of the expressway has been plagued by a wave of terrorism, with frequent incidents of killings and kidnappings for ransom targeting both locals and travelers.
The situation has become so dire that several politicians residing in the Ihube community have had their houses raided in the past, leading many residents to flee to safer areas like the state capital, Owerri, in search of protection.
The targeting of Okorocha’s convoy highlights the gravity of the security crisis in the region.
Okorocha, who governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019, expressed his sadness and disbelief at the attack on his convoy.
He revealed that the slain police officer was part of the security detail assigned from the state Government House to accompany him to the burial ceremony of the mother of the former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha.
Speaking during the birthday anniversary celebration of Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Imo State, Okorocha expressed his outrage over the incident.
He recounted that he had been in Enugu to attend the funeral of the wife of former Senate President Ken Nnamani before heading back to Imo State.
The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, had provided vehicles and security personnel for Okorocha’s safe journey, which went without incident.
However, it was upon his return to Imo State, after being dropped off at his residence in Owerri, that the attack occurred.
Okorocha expressed his deep frustration, questioning why he was safe in Enugu but became a target in his own state.
He conveyed his anger at the current state of affairs in Imo State, criticizing those vying for leadership positions in the state and highlighting one individual whom he believed was a suitable candidate.
He pledged to address this matter when the time was right.
An aide of Okorocha, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the attackers had opened fire on the convoy, damaging vehicles such as a Sports Utility Vehicle, a bus, and a Hilux.
Furthermore, two security personnel were kidnapped during the attack but were fortunately released on the same day.
