Dare Babalola
There was tension along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State as the convoy of Former Governor Chris Ngige was attacked on Thursday.
Disclosing this, the former media aide, Sir Fred Chukwuelobe of Ngige said the former governor was not in the convoy at the time of the attack.
However, a policeman in the convoy was shot, and his gun and uniform were taken by the suspected assailants, who were reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms.
Eyewitnesses near the scene reported the attack occurred on Thursday; a woman recording the shooting was fatally shot by the gunmen.
“A shop owner who raced to find out what was happening was also shot, but he only lost a lot of blood and will be operated upon soon to remove the bullets. He is expected to make a full recovery. The pilot car was riddled with bullets.
“No policeman was killed, and the escort leader who was shot has been operated upon and is expected to make a full recovery. The shop owner was lucky as the bullets didn’t lodge in his spine,” one of the eyewitnesses told newsmen.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that police have launched a coordinated manhunt across the state for the armed suspects who fled.
According to Ikenga, authorities successfully recovered the stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV following a strategic police pursuit.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, earlier snatched by armed criminals, has been successfully recovered following a coordinated police response during a pursuit operation.
“A combined team of Police Tactical Operatives from the Operations Department Awka, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Akwuzu, and the Special Anti-Cultism Unit (SPACS) Enugu-Ukwu, while in hot pursuit of armed criminals who attacked a police patrol team at Eziowelle along Umuoji Road, encountered a police convoy that promptly joined in the engagement.
“The convoy swiftly aligned with the pursuing operatives and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing the criminals to abandon the snatched white Mercedes-Benz SUV and flee the scene under intense pressure. Meanwhile, one police operative who sustained a minor gunshot injury is stable and currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.
“Preliminary information indicates that the officers in the convoy are attached to Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment.
“The recovered vehicle has been secured and taken into police custody for further investigation, as operatives intensify a coordinated state-wide manhunt for the fleeing armed hoodlums.
“Further developments shall be communicated, please.”
