Former Imo State Governor and Senator representing Orlu senatorial zone, Rochas Okorocha, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when gunmen attacked his convoy in Owerri on Friday. The incident occurred at Ihube community along the Okigwe-Enugu expressway, resulting in the death of a police officer who was part of the convoy.
Ihube has been a hotbed of terrorist activities, with reports of killings and kidnappings for ransom along that axis of the expressway. The situation has led to the destruction of houses belonging to several politicians in the community, with indigenous residents losing their lives while asleep. Fearing for their safety, many villagers have fled their homes, seeking refuge in the state capital, Owerri, and other locations.
Confirming the incident, Senator Okorocha expressed his concern over the possibility of an attack on his convoy. Okorocha, who served as Imo State Governor from 2011 to 2019, revealed that the slain police officer was part of the security detail deployed from the State Government House for the burial ceremony of the mother of Emeka Ihedioha, the immediate past governor of Imo.
During a speech at the birthday anniversary celebration of Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Imo State, Okorocha recounted his recent travels. He explained that he had attended the burial ceremony of the wife of former Senate President Ken Nnamani in Enugu before heading back to Imo. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu had provided vehicles and security personnel to accompany Okorocha and his team for the journey.
Okorocha expressed his frustration, stating that he was safe during his time in Enugu but was attacked and witnessed the loss of a security agent in his own state. He conveyed his anger over the deteriorating security situation in Imo State, criticizing the capability of those aspiring to govern the state. However, he mentioned that he had identified a suitable candidate, suggesting that he would speak about it at the appropriate time.
Efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, for a reaction to the incident were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
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