There was gun attack at the venue of a rally organized by APGA, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, at Odoata Central School Field, Ihiala, Anambra State
Security operatives attached to the convoy of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State repelled the attack, in a shootout that lasted over one hour.
Unconfirmed reports say that there were fatalities, and some people were injured.
It was gathered that the attackers came from Mgbidi in Imo State, which is a neighboring local government to Ihiala in Anambra State.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack.
According to the PPRO, the police and military are currently on ground, while mop up operation is ongoing. He, however, added that normalcy had since returned to the area.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C Don Adinuba, said: “A combined team of policemen and soldiers this afternoon repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at Odoata Central 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.
“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 ascertained because it caught fire during the exchange of bullets between the gun men and security forces.
“The gunmen, unable to withstand the superior fire power 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.
Earlier in the year, Soludo had lost three policemen guarding him when he was attacked on March 31 in his hometown of Isuofia, Aguata local Government Area while addressing the youth of the town.
“These security men and women in Anambra State lay down their lives for us and they do their best because of the encouragement they receive from the security-conscious state government, among other factors. We expect more professional exhibition as days go by and as the election date approaches,” Soludo said.
