Police officer shot as gunmen attack former Governor’s convoy

Police officer shot as gunmen attack former Governor’s convoy

Gunmen on Wednesday opened fire on the convoy of former Anambra State governor and ex–Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, along the Nkpor–Nnobi road in Idemili North Local Government Area. Ngige was not in the convoy at the time of the attack.

The assailants, reportedly dressed in police and military uniforms, targeted the vehicles in the convoy and shot a woman who had been recording the incident.

A shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also hit by gunfire, as was a police officer in the convoy’s pilot vehicle.

The attackers allegedly stripped the officer of his uniform and took away his rifle.

Witnesses said the pilot car was heavily sprayed with bullets, but confirmed that the police officer and the two other victims survived their injuries.

Police spokesperson Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the attack on Thursday, said officers recovered a white Mercedes-Benz SUV the gunmen seized during the assault.

“The recovered vehicle has been secured and taken into police custody for further investigation, while operatives have intensified a coordinated statewide manhunt for the fleeing armed hoodlums,” Tochukwu said, assuring that additional updates would be provided as investigations progress.

Ngige, who served as governor from 2003 to 2006, had previously survived an abduction during his first year in office.