* Vigilant security personnel saved Gov’s house from being razed – Commissioner
The Police in Imo State have confirmed the bombing of the house of Governor Hope Uzodinma at Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Orlando Ikeokwu Godson, said hoodlums attacked the governor’s house by throwing in petrol bomb, as a result of which two cars were burnt.
He, however, said the hoodlums were successfully repelled, and none of the buildings was razed.
According to him, one unarmed officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was killed in the process, while a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC officer in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction, along Owerri-Onitsha highway, were killed when the attackers were escaping.
The attackers reportedly stormed the place with their vehicles in their numbers dressed in black and black attire. The two vehicles, among which was a coaster bus, parked beside the gate and another car inside the compound were set ablaze.
Reports said that the situation had resulted in the blockage of Owerri-Onitsha express highway and other adjoining roads by security personnel drafted to the area.
However, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, described the incident as politically motivated.
Emelumba, in a statement issued on Saturday in Owerri, said that gallant security operatives repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor.
He explained that “at about 9 am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 driving in a motorcade of three vehicles accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA and attempted to burn down the house.”
He denied the governor’s house was set ablaze, disclosing that vigilant security operatives attached to the house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.
He added that during the crossfire that ensued, a few casualties were, however, recorded.
According to him, the government has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.
