Emmanuel Adigwe
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s convoy was attacked on Monday August 17, 2002 while the Governor was on his way to the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, to inaugurate an officers mess built by the state government.
The hoodlums armed with guns and machetes, claimed to be staff members of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) stated that they were protesting non-payment of their salaries.
However, the state government stated that most of the protests in the state were sponsored by the opposition party.
In a swift reaction, the state Commissioner of Police Isaac Akinmoyede, has confirmed the arrest of 15 suspects linked to the attack, saying that they were arrested with one locally-made pistol, two machetes, a mask, a chain and a padlock.
He further disclosed that no life was lost in the incident which occurred around Concord area of New Owerri.
Akinmoyede said: “They attacked the vehicles in the convoy with a locally made pistol and machetes.
“But in the process, windscreens of some of the vehicles in the convoy were smashed and the vehicles damaged.”