Chinedum Elekwachi
Convoy of former Minister of Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige was on Thursday attacked along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state.
Ngige’s former media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe who confirmed this in a statement said the former governor of the state was not in the convoy at the time of the attack.
He said that the hoodlums who reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms shot and took away the gun and uniform of the policeman in the pilot car.
Core Truth gathered that a woman recording the incident on her phone was fatally shot by the gunmen.
An eyewitness said they also shot a shop owner who ran to the scene to ascertain what was happening.
“He lost significant blood but he will undergo surgery soon to remove the bullets.
“He is currently in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery. The pilot car was riddled with bullets.
“No police officers were killed. The escort leader who was shot has already undergone surgery and is expected to recover fully.
Shop owner fortunate
“The shop owner was fortunate, as none of the bullets lodged in his spine,” a source said.
According to Chukwuelobe, ” I spoke with His Excellency, Dr. Ngige, who confirmed the attack and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure adequate medical care for the injured.
“He also extended condolences to the family of the woman who was killed while recording the attack.”
Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the Command has recovered the white Mercedes-Benz SUV, earlier snatched by the armed criminals.
He said the vehicle was recovered following a coordinated police response during a pursuit operation.
He said, “A combined team of Police Tactical Operatives from the Operations Department Awka, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Akwuzu, and the Special Anti-Cultism Unit (SPACS) Enugu-Ukwu, while in hot pursuit of armed criminals who attacked a police patrol team at Eziowelle along Umuoji Road, encountered a Police Convoy that promptly joined in the engagement.
“The convoy swiftly aligned with the pursuing operatives and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing the criminals to abandon the snatched white Mercedes-Benz SUV and flee the scene under intense pressure.
“Meanwhile, one police operative who sustained a minor gunshot injury is stable and currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
“Preliminary information indicates that the officers in the convoy are attached to Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment.
“The recovered vehicle has been secured and taken into police custody for further investigation, as operatives intensify a coordinated state-wide manhunt for the fleeing armed hoodlums,” he added.
