Imo Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Athan Achonu Escapes Attack Ahead of Election.
Just days before the November 11 governorship elections in Imo State, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Athan Achonu, narrowly escaped an alleged attack on his convoy.
Achonu’s convoy was reportedly attacked 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.
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It is said that his convoy ran into an ambush set by a group of thugs who had erected a roadblock, including an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), a Sienna vehicle branded with the All Progressive Congress (APC) insignia, and a Hilux truck.
In a statement released by Chibuikem Diala, the Director of Media and Publicity for Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organization, the incident was averted, and Senator Achonu and his team narrowly escaped a tragic outcome.
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The statement details that one Oladimeji, a police officer from the Tiger Base Police Squad in Owerri, led a group of intimidating policemen and armed Ebubeagu security operatives at the roadblock.
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As the convoy approached the roadblock, the police officers inside the Armored Personnel Carrier began firing at the convoy. They narrowly missed the Wrangler SUV but hit the driver’s window of one of the bulletproof Lexus SUVs in the convoy. Fortunately, there were no casualties due to the bulletproof nature of the vehicle.
The statement also alleges that the police officer Oladimeji, backed by the police, was uncooperative, refusing to let Senator Achonu’s convoy pass. He insisted that the convoy should turn back because Governor Uzodinma was expected to pass that way.
A young man known as ‘Takpe,’ who was supported by the police, also threatened to “destroy all the cars” if the convoy did not turn back. This 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 further emphasizes that the situation in Imo State has deteriorated to the point where even the State Commissioner of Police no longer has control over security matters. The Labour Party and its candidate, Senator Athan Achonu, along with democracy supporters in Imo State, have declared their determination not to be intimidated.
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They are calling on national leaders and relevant security agencies, including President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Head of the Department of State Services (DSS), to address the security situation in Imo State and prevent any potential bloodshed during and after the upcoming election.
With the gubernatorial election just days away, Imo State remains a critical focal point for the upcoming polls, and security concerns are being raised by various political stakeholders.
