An advance security team for Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, narrowly escaped an ambush by unidentified armed men in Imo State on Tuesday morning.
Details of the Narrow Escape
The incident occurred along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The three-member team was traveling to the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport in Owerri when the assailants struck. The attack happened shortly before the team could reach the airport junction.
In an official statement, the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, confirmed the event. He was quick to clarify that Governor Otti's main convoy was not involved and was not near the location at the time of the incident.
"The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost," the statement read. Ukoha urged the public to disregard any contrary rumors and confirmed that security agencies have been notified to investigate and apprehend the attackers.
Security Situation in Imo State
This attack adds to a worrying pattern of violence in Imo State and the broader Southeast region. Gunmen have repeatedly targeted highways and communities, creating an atmosphere of fear.
In May 2025, a particularly brutal attack on the Okigwe-Owerri highway resulted in the death of at least 30 people. Over 20 vehicles were set ablaze. Amnesty International condemned that act, calling it a "callous disregard for the sanctity of life" and urged Nigerian authorities to conduct a transparent investigation.
Furthermore, on August 22, 2025, five people were killed in an attack in the Okigwe local government area, where residences, including that of a local youth security leader, were destroyed. The state's Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had vowed to prosecute the perpetrators of that August attack.
Ongoing Investigations and Official Silence
At the time of reporting, the Imo State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the attack on Governor Otti's team. The state government's confirmation remains the primary source of information as investigations begin.
The frequency of such incidents highlights the persistent security challenges in the region, often attributed by reports to activities of separatist groups like the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
