Gunmen attack APGA rally, hold Obiano’s convoy hostage NEWS

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Gunmen attack APGA rally, hold Obiano’s convoy hostage

By AdvocateNews on 12/10/2021

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Odoata Central School in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to hold its gubernatorial campaign rally.

It was gathered that APGA was preparing to hold a political rally in the area when the gunmen struck, at the same time the governor’s convoy was arriving, while the gunmen engaged the security operatives in the governor’s convoy.

“The governor’s convoy was held for about one hour, while gunshots were ratcheting everywhere in the area,” a source said.

Unconfirmed reports said no fewer than six people lost their lives, while several people were injured.

It was gathered that the attackers came from Mgbidi in Imo State, which is a neighbouring local government with Ihiala in Anambra State.

Meanwhile, DSP Toochukwu Ikenganyia, the Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer confirmed that there was an attack in Ihiala.

He said: “The attack happened at Odoata Central school, beside St Martins Church, Ihiala. It happened at about 9:30am.

“We recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines with 30 rounds of ammunition and a Toyota Hilux vehicle from the attackers.

“The Police and military are currently on ground now while mop up operations are ongoing. Normalcy has since returned to the area,” PPRO Ikenga said.

When the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr C. Don Adinuba, was contacted, he confirmed the report, but refused to talk about the attack on the governor.

He said: “A combined team of policemen and soldiers this afternoon repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at Odoata Primary School, Ihiala, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to organize a campaign rally for the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

“The gunmen came on various motorcycles and in three vehicles, namely, a Toyota Lexus 350 ES with registration number EKY 765 EX, Toyota RAV4 with number JJJ 434FP and a Ford van whose number could not be ascertained at the time of this report because it caught fire during the exchange of bullets between the gunmen and security forces.

“The gunmen, unable to withstand the superior fire power of the soldiers and police officers, quickly ran into the large premises of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital which is directly opposite the campaign ground.

“They suffered serious injuries, even though they managed to shoot a gallant soldier”, according to an eye witness who did not want his name disclosed in the media for fear of his safety,” Adinuba said.

He said the Anambra State Police Command has requested the people in the area to help lookout for people with gunshots and report them.

He also asked hospitals and other health facilities in both Ihiala Local Government Area and neighboring communities in Imo State to report persons with gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Governor, Obiano has commended police officers and soldiers who repelled the attack.

Addressing journalists at Atani in Ogbaru LGA where he led a large crowd of APGA faithful to welcome the APGA governorship candidate in the forthcoming election, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Governor described the response of the security men as professional and patriotic.

In the same vein, Soludo, who lost three policemen guarding him when he was attacked on March 31 in his hometown of Isuofia, Aguata local government area, while addressing the youth, lauded the security forces for bravery.

“These security men and women in Anambra State lay down their lives for us and they do their best because of the encouragement they receive from the security-conscious state government, among other factors.

“We expect more professional exhibition as days go by and the election date approaches,” he said.

Posted 12/10/2021 7:21:05 PM

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