Tension in Anambra as rampaging IPOB militants engages Obiano’s convoy in gun battle

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s militant wing on Tuesday attacked governor Willie Obiano’s convoy and held him hostage over one hour.

The governor of Anambra State came under attack at a campaign rally of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance in the State when the incident happened.

The attack disrupted the campaign rally which was scheduled to hold at Odata Secondary School in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

An eye witness who watched the gun duel explained that the exchange of fire was tough for over one hour it lasted.

The State Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed in a statement which was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, that there was an attack in Ihiala.

He said the attack was repelled by the Police personnel who were deployed to Odata ahead of the campaign rally.

The Police spokesperson revealed in the statement that exhibits were recovered from the attack scene and there include one AK 47 rifle, Two Magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition, One lexus 350 jeep, one Rav 4 jeep, one Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Corolla.

He said attackers started shooting sporadically immediately they arrived at Odata Secondary School before the gallant operatives engaged them and dominated.

He stressed: “Normalcy has since returned to the area while the Police are on the trail of the miscreants.

Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adunuba in his reaction confirmed that some attackers came on 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.

He explained that the Ford van caught fire in the course of gun duel with the combined team of Police and Army, hence, its number plate could not be ascertained.

Adunuba said the gunmen after being overwhelmed by security agents’ firepower ran into the premises of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, a private hospital located directly opposite the campaign ground.

“If the gunmen had not run into the hospital which is a very delicate place to shoot any person, the security men would have gunned all of them down them,” he said.

According to him, Anambra State Police command has directed the operatives to pursue the gunmen, while he asked the residents to report anyone with gunshot wounds to the nearby Police Station.

Speaking to journalists at Atani in Ogbaru LGA where he led a large crowd of APGA faithful to welcome the APGA governorship candidate in the forthcoming election, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Obiano described the response of the security men as professional and patriotic.

In the same vein, Soludo, who lost three policemen guarding him when he was attacked on March 31 in his hometown of Isuofia, Aguata local Government Area, while addressing the youth, lauded the security forces for bravery.

​“These security men and women in Anambra State lay down their lives for us and they do their best because of the encouragement they receive from the security-conscious state government, among other factors.”

However CAPITAL POST could not confirm casualties on both sides before filing this report.