Tension as gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra, kill two

Some unidentified gunmen have attacked the convoy of a former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area.

According to his former media aide, Sir Fred Chukwuelobe, the former governor was not in the convoy when the incident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, dressed in police and military-style uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, shooting a police officer and dispossessing him of his rifle and uniform.

The attackers also shot dead a woman who was reportedly recording the incident on her mobile phone.

A shop owner who rushed out to observe the commotion was struck by bullets and suffered heavy bleeding. He is scheduled for surgery to remove bullet fragments and is expected to recover fully. The escort leader, who also sustained gunshot injuries, has undergone surgery and is in stable condition.
The pilot vehicle was riddled with bullets during the attack.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had commenced a coordinated state-wide manhunt for the fleeing criminals.

Ikenga also revealed that a white Mercedes-Benz SUV earlier snatched by the suspects was recovered after a joint 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 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 hoodlums were forced to abandon the snatched Mercedes-Benz SUV and flee under intense pressure. One police operative who sustained a minor gunshot injury is stable and receiving medical attention.”

Ikenga confirmed that preliminary findings showed the officers in the convoy were attached to Senator Chris Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment.

He added that the recovered vehicle is now in police custody as investigations continue, assuring that further updates will be provided as the manhunt intensifies.