Ike Nnachi Abakaliki
The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State Professor Bernard Odo escaped death Thursday night when his convoy was attacked by gunmen suspected to be assassins.
His Media Aide, Charles Out, confirmed the incident to Ikengaonline.
He said the candidate was returning from a campaign rally in the area when they ran into an ambush at the Rest House area, along the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway.
The gunmen who parked a Sienna bus along the road, opened fire on the convoy with particular aim at the candidate’s vehicle which was completely shattered.
His driver was reportedly shot and bleeding forcing his Police orderly to maneuver the vehicle out of the area.
The driver later died due to the severity of the gunshot injuries he sustained.
It was gathered that the orderly and three others sustained bullet wounds.
Those injured are receiving treatment at a hospital in Abakaliki, the state capital.
This is the second major attempt on the life of the APGA candidate after he was attacked last year in Izzi Local Government Area, where he was going for campaign.
Mr Otu in a statement said five persons are still missing from the attack.
He said one of the cars in the convoy was also set ablaze by the gunmen.
His statement read: “APGA Ebonyi State Chapter Governorship candidate Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh and his team were ambushed late this evening today (Thursday) near Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.”
“An unmarked silver-coloured Sienna, loaded with not less than 8 persons parked at the left flank of the road and opened fire with AK47 as soon as they sighted the leading pilot vehicle of the team”
“The pilot vehicle was shot at not less than 8 times before they cordoned off the Governorship candidate’s vehicle and riddled his Prado jeep with bullets”
“In the process, his driver was shot at and as he bled profusely, the ADC swiftly manouvered and drove off the vehicle with all tyres already punctured and flat down till he managed to get to Pele Filling station”
“As we write, not less than five persons were feared missing while two sustained serious gunshots injuries”
“A backup pilot Hilux vehicle on Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh ‘s convoy was also set ablaze by the armed militia.
“Efforts are on by security team to rescue the missing persons while those already rescued have been rushed to the hospital for treatment,” Mr Otu said.
