Gunmen on Saturday morning attacked the country home of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Information in the state, Declan Emelumba, confirmed the attack. He, however, explained that the attack was repelled by a combined team of security operatives attached to the house.
“Gallant security operatives this morning repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma,” he said.
Emelumba’s statement reads: “At about 9 am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 driving in a motorcade of three vehicles accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA and attempted to burn down the house.
“However, vigilant security operatives attached to the Governor’s house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.
“In the crossfire that ensued a few casualties were recorded. Preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored.”
The commissioner further disclosed that in the ensued cross fire, few casualties were recorded. According to him, one unarmed personnel of the NSCDC was killed in the process. The hoodlums, while escaping, were said to have killed a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC personnel, both in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction.
Emelumba said preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored. He said the governor has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.
The attack comes barely 24 hours after Governor Uzodinma accused politicians of funding banditry to run down the present administration.
Briefing reporters shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, the governor condemned the recent attacks by armed bandits on communities, especially in the northern part of the country, challenged the security agencies to urgently reveal the names of their sponsors.
He also condemned the call for secession, stressing that criminals particularly in Imo were a combination of individuals within and outside the state.