Former Governor of Anambra State and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, narrowly escaped an attack on Wednesday after his convoy was ambushed by unknown gunmen on the Nkpor, Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was confirmed by Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, in a statement released to Daily Sun on Thursday.

According to Chukwuelobe, Dr. Ngige was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. However, the pilot vehicle came under heavy gunfire, leaving a police officer injured. The gunmen, reportedly dressed in police and military uniforms, also dispossessed the injured officer of his rifle and uniform.

Tragically, a young woman who was recording the incident on her phone was fatally shot by the assailants. A shop owner who stepped out to observe what was happening was also hit by bullets. He reportedly lost significant blood and is expected to undergo surgery to remove the lodged bullets. Both he and the injured police escort have been operated on and are expected to recover fully.

“The pilot car was riddled with bullets. No policeman was killed, and both the escort leader and the wounded shop owner are responding to treatment,” Chukwuelobe said.

He added that he had spoken directly with Dr. Ngige, who confirmed the incident and expressed sadness over the death of the lady. Ngige also assured that he would support the medical treatment of all injured victims.

The Anambra State Police Command has not yet released an official statement regarding the attack.