A combined team of policemen and soldiers on Tuesday afternoon, October 12 2021 repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at Odoata Primary School, Ihiala, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was scheduled to organize a campaign rally for the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
According to reports, 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 this report because it caught fire during the exchange of bullets between the gun men and security forces.
The gunmen, unable to withstand the superior firepower 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.
An eye witness pleaded anonymity said they suffered serious injuries, even though they managed to shoot a gallant soldier.
The witness said that 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.
Security forces, who recovered all three vehicles and motorcycles used by the gunmen, were searching the area by the time this report was filed.
The Anambra State Police Command has requested the people in the area to help lookout for people with gunshots and report them.
It also asked hospitals and other health facilities in both Ihiala Local Government Area and neighbouring communities in Imo State to report to security agencies patients with gun wounds.
Meanwhile, Governor Willie Obiano has commended police officers and soldiers who repelled the attack for their gallantry.
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, Governor Obiano described the response of the security men as professional and patriotic.
In the same vein, Professor Soludo lauded the security forces for bravery.
He said that a more professional exhibition is expected as days go by and the election date approaches.
The APGA candidate expressed sympathy for innocent victims of the attack, pleading with every aggrieved person to lay down their weapon and opt for dialogue to resolve all differences in the interest of the people.
Meanwhile, contrary to news that filtered in on different social media platforms yesterday, it has been confirmed that Governor Willie Obiano’s convoy was not in Ihiala when Gunmen attacked Odoata Central School in Ihiala.
Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident.
Speaking to Newsmen, the Commissioner For Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuna said that the governor was 30 kilometres away from the venue when the incident took place.
According to a source, APGA campaign rally was meant to hold in Ihiala after the one that was holding at Ogbaru at the time of the attack. However, the Ihiala attack took place before the governor arrived the venue.
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