Abia State Government has debunked viral claims that Governor Alex Otti’s motorcade came under attack, clarifying that the incident involved only a small advance team heading to the airport.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Ukoha, set the record straight in a statement released in Umuahia on Tuesday. He confirmed that three officials attached to the governor’s office were en route to Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo State when armed men opened fire on their vehicle.
According to him, the attack occurred in the early hours of Dec. 2 along the Umuowa–Ihite axis, just a short distance from the airport junction. The occupants, though visibly rattled, escaped without injuries.
Ukoha dismissed social media posts suggesting that Governor Otti himself was in the convoy or that his motorcade was the target of the assailants.
“In the early hours of today, Dec. 2, a three-member advance team from the Office of the Governor of Abia, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State, was attacked by unidentified gunmen,” he said.
He added: “The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State. The general public is hereby informed that the motorcade was not involved in this attack, and no life was lost during the unfortunate incident.”
The state government urged the public to disregard misleading reports and assured that security agencies are handling the situation.