AWKA: Gunmen have attacked the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Ngige confirmed the incident to journalists, explaining that he was not in the convoy at the time of the attack. He said several people were shot and injured by the assailants.
I was not in the convoy. I’m alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came home to relax, but this is unfortunate. I will return to Abuja. I assure those behind this that they will not go unpunished, he said.
The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.
According to Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a police officer in the lead vehicle was shot.
The attackers, who wore police and army uniforms, reportedly took the officer’s gun and uniform.
He added that a woman recording the incident was fatally shot, while a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also hit.
The shop owner lost a lot of blood and is scheduled for surgery but is expected to recover.
The pilot vehicle was riddled with bullets, and the wounded escort commander has undergone surgery and is also expected to survive.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command says a state-wide manhunt has been launched for the attackers.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that a white Mercedes-Benz SUV earlier snatched by the gunmen has been recovered following a coordinated response.
He explained that a combined team of officers from the Operations Department in Awka, the Rapid Response Squad in Akwuzu, and the Special Anti-Cultism Unit in Enugu-Ukwu encountered another police convoy and engaged the criminals in a gun duel. The attackers abandoned the stolen vehicle and fled.
Ikenga added that one police officer sustained a minor gunshot injury and is receiving treatment.
He also confirmed that the officers in the convoy were attached to Senator Ngige.
The recovered vehicle has been secured for further investigation as security operatives intensify efforts to track down the fleeing assailants.
