‘It was an assassination attempt’, ex-governor speaks on attack on convoy

Former District Governor Imo StateIkedi Ohakim, has spoken about the recent attacks on convoys in the country.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how gunmen attacked the former governor’s convoy, killing four police officers attached to him.

Mr. Ohakim and his two children narrowly escaped death in an incident that occurred on January 2 in Oriagu, a community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of ​​the state.

The former governor in a statement said what happened was an attempt to kill someone.

“The story has been told and retold and although some versions are inaccurate, the important thing is that I survived an apparent attempt to kill me,” Mr Ohakim said in the statement.

The former governor thanked several Nigerians including political and religious leaders from across the country who he said sent messages and called for empathy and solidarity with him over the incident.

“On behalf of the family, I want to sincerely express our deep appreciation for the outpouring of love from some Nigerians over this unfortunate incident,” he said.

‘your heart bleeds’

Mr. Ohakim said his heart was still bleeding over the death of four policemen during the attack, adding that he could not express the “pain and pain” inside him.

“Although we cannot thank God for this miracle, I must admit that we have not come to terms with the death of four brave security personnel who died while trying to save the mine.

“This is a young man at a young age and his career and for the future are many. His death is another very sad comment on our collective existence as a society, but as a person and a family, this is a personal loss,” he said.

The former governor said the family would do “everything humanly possible” to ensure the official’s family “does not suffer.”

He called on the security agencies to unravel the “mystery” behind the attack and also “finally find a lasting solution to the national problem that now seems intractable.”

“However, I am encouraged, by the fact that the security agents in Imo State in particular have delivered some very good performances in the past and I believe that together with the proven determination of the state governor in tackling the problem of insecurity, this is only a matter it is time for those who are behind these evil deeds,” said Mr. Ohakim.

He commended Nigerians for expressing “anxiety over insecurity” in the country.

More insecure

Like other states in the south-east of Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed men.

These attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack.

IPOB led the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to carve out of the South-East and some parts of South-South Nigeria.