Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo state, was ambushed by gunmen on Monday, and some police escorts who were with him were killed during the attack.
According to reports, the event took place as the former governor was travelling back from Orieagu in the Ehime Mbano area of the State.
It was unclear if he was travelling to Owerri, the state capital, or his home at Okohia in Isiala Mbano, but eyewitnesses claimed that when the gunmen were unable to catch him, they attacked the escort vehicle carrying the police and set it on fire.
Four of his police orderlies reportedly died as a result of the attack.
According to eyewitnesses, the former governor was with two of his children when the gunmen attacked.
It was said that the attackers would have succeeded in their mission if it hadn’t been for the ex-governor driver’s quick reflexes.
The governor reportedly made a quick call and ordered the sending of reinforcements to Owerri following the gunmen’s escape.
CSP Mike Abattam, a spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, was unreachable for comment.
Ohakim led the state of Imo as governor between 2007 and 2011 before being succeeded by Rochas Okorocha.
