Ukoha Njoku, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, has issued a clarification to counter circulating reports suggesting that the Governor’s convoy was ambushed by gunmen.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the 2nd of December, 2025, Njoku explained that the actual target was not the Governor’s main security detail but an “advance team of three members from the office of the governor.” These individuals were traveling from the Government House in Umuahia and were en route to the Sam Mbakwe airport in Owerri for official duty when they came under attack by “yet to be identified gunmen.” The incident occurred on the road segment situated “between Umuowa and Ihitte junction.”
The Spokesman stressed that the widely reported information was inaccurate, explicitly clarifying that “the governor’s convoy was not involved.” Furthermore, he reassured the public that no fatalities occurred, stating that “no life was lost in the incident.”
The statement provided a precise timeline and location for the assault: “In the early hours of today, December 2, 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.”
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“The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State.”
The statement concluded with a direct message to the public: “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.”