An advance team from the Office of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen near Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo State in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2.
The attack occurred along the Umuowa–Ihite axis as the three-man team travelled ahead of the governor’s scheduled movement.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Abia State Government clarified that Governor Otti’s convoy was not involved in the incident and assured the public that no lives were lost.
According to the statement, the affected officials—members of the governor’s advance team from the Government House, Umuahia—were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport when they came under attack.
The statement read in part:
“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 at 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.
“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 government added that security agencies have been notified and investigations are underway.