By PETER OKOLIE

The Police Command in Imo has confirmed a foiled armed robbery attack on the Abia Government House escort traveling on the Aba-Owerri Road on Tuesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri.

Okoye said the Abia Government House Escort was traveling through Imo when the armed hoodlums targeted their vehicle.

The command’s spokesman said: “Nobody was killed, no vehicle was burnt and no injury was sustained.

“Rather, the escorts were the ones who repelled the attack, saving other motorists in the process.

“It was not the governor’s convoy that was attacked but just an escort from the Abia Government House that repelled some suspected armed robbers on Owerri-Aba Road.

“They sighted some armed robbers along the road and opened fire on the hoodlums, who immediately scampered for safety.

“But because the escort was on a mission to Imo, they continued their journey.”

Okoye said the command had launched an investigation into the incident and was working to identify those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, Mr Njoku Ukoha, had in a public service announcement released later, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

“An advance team of three members from the Office of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo, was attacked by unidentified gunmen.

“The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo.

“The general public is hereby informed that the convoy of Gov. Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident,” he emphasised. (NAN, but headline rejigged)