Former Anambra State governor and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has narrated how gunmen opened fire on his convoy on Wednesday, killing a woman and injuring one of his police escorts.

Ngige shared the account on Thursday during a visit by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who came to sympathize with him at his residence in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area.

How the Attack Happened

According to Ngige, he had been in Anambra since Saturday and sent some of his aides out on an errand, including taking one of his vehicles for maintenance. The convoy was returning when the gunmen struck.

“They attacked my convoy while they were coming back around Umuoji,” Ngige said. “They saw a vehicle speeding toward them, and when it suddenly reversed and gave chase, they knew something was wrong. The gunmen started shooting immediately.”

He explained that the attackers were dressed in police and military uniforms, making it difficult at first to identify their intention. His pilot driver, he said, managed to swerve repeatedly until the convoy ran into a shop for cover. However, the gunmen caught up with his police escorts.

“One of the policemen fought until he ran out of bullets,” Ngige said. “They shot him in the leg, took his rifle and even stripped him of his uniform.”

A female passerby who was recording the scene was fatally shot, according to local reports.

Attackers Accused Officers of Working for “Zoo Government”

Ngige revealed that the gunmen accused the policemen of serving what they called a “zoo government,” a phrase frequently associated with separatist rhetoric in the South East.

“They told the officers to tell their masters they were coming for them,” Ngige said. “It suggests something bigger is unfolding. They appear to be targeting security personnel to seize arms and uniforms.”

The former minister stated that he had spoken with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who assured him that the attackers would be tracked down. According to Ngige, failing to capture them could threaten the relative calm the state has experienced in recent months.

“We are entering the Christmas season when people return home,” he said. “Allowing a group like this to operate freely could create serious security concerns.”

Was It a Targeted Attack?

Ngige said he could not confirm whether he was personally targeted. While his pilot driver is well known and has driven him for 22 years, he said the attackers may simply have been seeking police weapons.

“They might have recognized the convoy,” he said. “Or they might have simply seen policemen and decided to attack. Anyone targeting me is wasting his time.”

Ngige Links Attackers’ Remark to IPOB Leader’s Detention

Responding to the reference to “zoo government,” Ngige suggested the attackers’ comments might be connected to the ongoing detention of Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu.

He repeated his long-standing belief that Kanu’s case requires a political solution.

“I met President Buhari on that matter,” he said. “Governor Soludo has also said he is willing to take Kanu on bail. Even if they won’t release him to us, they can hand him over to Britain.”

Ngige added that Kanu’s recent behavior points to deeper medical concerns that, in his view, were not properly evaluated.

“The symptoms he is exhibiting are bizarre,” Ngige said. “I am not a psychiatrist, but as a medical doctor, I can say something is wrong. There is a component of mania there. Under such conditions, courts often discharge the person.”

Medical experts contacted by news platforms in the past have noted that political detentions often require thorough physical and psychological assessments, underscoring Ngige’s point.

Peter Obi Condemns Attack, Sympathizes With Victims

During his visit, Peter Obi thanked God that Ngige survived the attack and expressed condolences to the family of the woman who lost her life.

“This is a tragic incident, and her family deserves justice,” Obi said, according to reports. He also called for improved security across the South East as holiday travel intensifies.

Security analysts say the attack highlights renewed concerns about armed groups masquerading as security personnel, a trend that authorities have struggled to contain.