Imo State Governorship Candidate Allegedly Attacked Days Before Election: A Call for Security Investigation
In a troubling turn of events just five days ahead of the Imo State governorship elections scheduled for November 11, Senator Athan Achonu, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, has reportedly faced a harrowing situation. His convoy was allegedly attacked while en route to St Peter’s Anglican Church in Owerri North Local Government Area, where he had been invited to attend the church’s synod.
According to reports, Achonu’s convoy ran into an ambush set by a group of individuals described as thugs. They had erected a roadblock, complete with an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), an All Progressive Congress-branded Sienna, and a Hilux truck, seemingly in a deliberate attempt to obstruct his passage.
A statement issued by Chibuikem Diala, the Director of Media and Publicity for Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, describes the perilous situation and the near escape from a potential tragedy. The release details how a police officer named Oladimeji, from the Tiger Base Police Squad in Owerri, led a team of heavily armed personnel, including members of the Ebubeagu security operatives.
As the convoy approached the roadblock, the police officers within the Armored Personnel Carrier allegedly opened fire, narrowly missing one of the vehicles but striking the driver’s window of a bulletproof Lexus SUV. This incident, occurring in broad daylight, had the potential for severe casualties if not for the protective properties of the bulletproof vehicle.
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The release goes on to describe a tense standoff, with the police officer Oladimeji and another individual known as ‘TAKPE’ adamantly refusing to let Senator Athan Achonu’s convoy pass, even after intervention attempts by the Police Commissioner. The situation was said to have caused panic among the women in the convoy.
To de-escalate the confrontation, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security officers accompanying Senator Achonu had to exercise restraint and ensure the safety of the candidate and his team.
The statement from Achonu’s campaign organization expressed deep concern about the security situation in Imo State and alleged that certain officers had compromised their duty, resulting in a demand for an urgent investigation into the actions of the involved individuals, including Officer Ola. They also called for the arrest and prosecution of ‘TAKPE,’ as seen in a viral video.
Furthermore, the release appealed to key figures, including President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, the Head of the Department of State Services (DSS), and relevant security agencies to intervene in the Imo State security situation, with the aim of preventing any potential violence during and after the upcoming election.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of security and fairness in the electoral process and highlights the need for prompt and thorough investigations to uphold the principles of democracy. As the election date approaches, the hope is for a peaceful and transparent electoral process in Imo State.
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