Governor OTTI confirms gunmen attack on advance team in Imo

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - An advance team from the Office of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen near Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo State in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2.

The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction as the three-man team travelled ahead of the governor’s scheduled movement

In a statement, the Abia State Government clarified that Governor Otti’s convoy was not involved in the attack and confirmed that no lives were lost.

He disclosed that an advance team of three members from the office of the governor from the Government House, Umuahia, who were on duty at the Sam Mbakwe airport, Owerri, were attacked by yet to be identified gunmen between Umuowa and Ihitte junction, on their way to the airport.

The statement read: “In the early hours of today, December 2nd, an advance team of three members from the Office of the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, on duty at Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State, was attacked by unidentified gunmen.

“The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State.

“The general public is hereby informed that the convoy of Governor Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident.”