Gunmen on Thursday attacked the convoy of former Anambra State governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Ngige was not in the convoy at the time of the incident, according to his former media aide, Sir Fred Chukwuelobe. However, a police officer in the pilot vehicle was shot, and his service rifle and uniform were taken by the assailants, who witnesses said were dressed in police and army uniforms.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leaving the pilot vehicle riddled with bullets. A woman who attempted to record the shooting on her phone was fatally shot, while a shop owner who rushed out to observe the situation was also hit. He reportedly lost significant blood and is due for surgery, but doctors expect him to recover.
“No policeman was killed, and the escort leader who was shot has been operated on,” one eyewitness said, adding that the shop owner survived because the bullets did not lodge in his spine.
Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack and disclosed that the command had launched a coordinated, state-wide manhunt for the gunmen.
Ikenga revealed that a white Mercedes-Benz SUV earlier snatched by the criminals was recovered during a combined pursuit involving tactical teams from Awka, Akwuzu and Enugu-Ukwu.
“The operatives engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the snatched vehicle and flee,” Ikenga stated, noting that one police operative who suffered a minor gunshot injury was in stable condition and receiving treatment.
He further confirmed that preliminary findings showed the convoy belonged to Senator Chris Ngige.
The recovered vehicle is now in police custody as investigations intensify. The police assured that further updates would be provided as the manhunt progresses.
