Just five days before the Imo State governorship elections scheduled for November 11, Senator Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, reportedly experienced an attack in the state.
Achonu’s convoy was assaulted while en route to St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Obibiezena, Owerri North Local Government Area, where he had been invited to attend the church’s synod.
It was reported that his convoy encountered an ambush set up by some thugs who had set up a roadblock using an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), an All Progressive Congress-branded Sienna, and a Hilux truck.
A statement issued by Chibuikem Diala, the Director of Media and Publicity for Senator Athan Achonu’s Campaign Organization, and made available to DAILYPOST in Owerri, described how Senator Achonu narrowly escaped a potentially tragic incident.
The statement explained that the incident involved one Oladimeji, a police officer attached to the Tiger Base Police Squad in Owerri, who led a team of policemen and Ebubeagu security operatives carrying firearms. Upon approaching the roadblock, police officers in the Armored Personnel Carrier opened fire on the convoy. They narrowly missed Senator Achonu’s Wrangler SUV but hit the driver’s window of one of the bulletproof Lexus SUVs in the convoy. Fortunately, the bulletproof vehicle prevented any casualties.
Despite interventions by the Police Commissioner speaking to Officer Oladimeji on the phone, the officer refused to allow Senator Achonu’s passage, insisting that Governor Uzodinma was expected to travel the same route.
A young man known as ‘TAKPE,’ supported by the police, threatened the convoy, demanding that they turn back or face the destruction of their vehicles. This situation caused panic among the women in the convoy.
To avoid further confrontation, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security officers accompanying Senator Achonu exercised restraint and moved the candidate and his team to safety.
The statement expressed concern about the state police’s apparent alignment with Governor Uzodinma, to the extent that the State Commissioner of Police seemingly had limited control over security matters.
The statement called for an urgent investigation into the actions of the individuals involved, including Officer Ola, and the State Commissioner of Police. It also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the individual ‘Takpe’ shown in the viral video.
The statement further called for the immediate transfer of compromised officers to prevent potential crises and urged relevant security agencies to address the security situation in Imo State to prevent violence during and after the upcoming election.
Additionally, the statement affirmed the commitment of the Labour Party, Senator Athan Achonu, and all supporters of democracy in Imo State to stand firm and not be intimidated. It called upon prominent figures and relevant security agencies to address the security situation in the state.