Gunmen attack Gov Otti’s advance team in Imo

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Gunmen-attack. Alex-Otti
Gov Otti

Barely a week after the convoy of former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen on the Nkpor – Nnobi Road, Idemili North Local Government Area, axis of the state, similar fate happened on the advance team of Abia state governor, Alex Otti, early Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

By Emma Ogbuehi

Barely a week after the convoy of former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen on the Nkpor – Nnobi Road, Idemili North Local Government Area, axis of the state, similar fate happened on the advance team of Abia state governor, Alex Otti, early Tuesday, December 2, 2025. As in the Ngige incident in which the former governor was not in the convoy when his aides were ambushed, Otti was equally not present at the time of the attack on his team.

According to media reports, three staff members attached to Governor Otti, were on Tuesday morning attacked by unidentified gunmen near the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

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The incident, which occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, a short distance from the airport, happened while the team was en route to the facility for official duties.

The attackers, suspected to be fleeing gunmen, opened fire on the vehicle conveying the aides as they approached the airport corridor.

Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, confirmed the attack in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the affected officials were part of an advance team and not the governor’s convoy.

Ukoha said, “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 to 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.”

He clarified that the governor was not caught in the incident and that no casualties were recorded.

“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 statement added.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command is yet to comment on the development as of the time of filing this report.