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Nigeria: Gunmen Attack Governor Orji's Convoy - One Killed
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Daily Champion (Lagos)
23 July 2008
Posted to the web 23 July 2008
Jayne Uche
Lagos
Unidentified gunmen in the early hours of yesterday attacked the convoy of Abia State governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, at Ngwa Itiekwe in Ugwunagbo local government area along the Port-Harcourt-Enugu expressway. An unidentified passer-by, was killed while many were injured.
The convoy was on its way to Port Harcourt International airport to pick the governor who was on his way back to the state.
Daily Champion gathered that the gunmen who numbering over 10, emerged from an adjoining bush and attacked the convoy, shooting sporadically. They overpowered the security details of the governor, after displaying a superior fire power.
The attack resulted in the governor's car being riddled with bullets. Two jeeps in the convoy including the governor's back-up jeep were hijacked by the hoodlums and later abandoned at Ogwe in Ukwa-West local government area. Other valuables such as cameras (video and photo), laptops, mobile phones etc were taken by the gunmen.
Other vehicles in the convoy were shattered with bullets while their occupants scampered to safety in the nearby bushes.
After the gun duel which lasted over 20 minutes, the convoy continued in its journey.
In his reaction, Orji described the attack as an attempt by the opposition to assassinate him.
In a press statement signed by the Ukoha Kalu, chief press secretary to the governor and made available to Daily Champion, Orji wondered why the attackers will shoot at all the vehicles in the convoy if they were not bent on killing him.
He said security reports at his disposal indicate that the plan to eliminate him has been on for long by the opposition who do not want to wait for the Court of Appeal to vacate the election petition on the governorship seat of the state.
Orji reinstated that he had a divine mandate and urged his supporters to have confidence in his government, asserting that the plans of the enemy will come to nothing, he said that everybody would be rewarded for his actions.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Elder Ralph Egbu has said that a new security strategy would be adopted to check criminal activities and boost security in the state.
Briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia on the attack, the commissioner who was accompanied by some members of the state executive council said the attack was a big assault but stated that the state government was not threatened.
According to him, the government would not be intimidated adding that it will not leave anything to chance.
Elder Egbu expressed unhappiness about the attack which was aimed at assassinating the governor, saying that the effrontery of the hoodlums was amazing.
He assured Abia indigenes and well-wishers of the governor that the government is still intact and firmly in control, stressing that the governor and his deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas are safe.
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It would be recalled that on June 26, the convoy of Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was attacked by gunmen at Oghara, on Benin-Warri Expressway while on his way to Warri Township Stadium for the international testimonial football match in honour of former Super Eagles of Nigeria captain, Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha. Four suspects were arrested last week in connection with that attack.
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