David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Unidentified gunmen, yesterday, attacked Odoata Central School in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to hold its campaign rally.
APGA, it was learnt, was preparing to hold a political rally in the area when gunmen visited at about the same time the governor’s convoy was arriving, resulting in a duel between the gunmen and the security operatives on the governor’s convoy.
“The governor’s convoy was held for about one hour, while gunshots were racheting everywhere in the area,” a source said.
DSP Toochukwu Ikenganyia, the Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer,confirmed that there was attack in Ihiala.
He said, “The attack happened at Odoata Central school, beside St Martins Church, Ihiala. It happened at about 9:30am. We recovered one Ak 47 riffle, two magazines with 30 rounds of ammunition and a Toyota Hilux vehicle from the attackers.
“The Police and military are currently on ground now while mop up operations is ongoing. Normalcy has since returned to the area,” PPRO Ikenga said.
The state Commisioner for Information, Mr C. Don Adinuba, also confirmed the report, but refused to talk about the attack on the governor.
“A combined team of policemen and soldiers this afternoon repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at Odoata Primary School, Ihiala, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to organise a campaign rally for the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
“The gunmen came on various motorcycles and in three vehicles, namely, a Toyota Lexus 350 ES with registration number EKY 765 EX, Toyota RAV4 with number JJJ 434FP and a Ford van, whose number could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, because it caught fire during the exchange of bullets between the gunmen and security forces.
“The gunmen, unable to withstand the superior fire power of the soldiers and police officers, quickly ran into the large premises of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is directly opposite the campaign ground.
“They suffered serious injuries, even though they managed to shoot a gallant soldier”, according to an eye witness, who did not want his name disclosed for fear of his safety,” Adinuba said.
