An advance security team attached to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, attacked by unidentified gunmen near Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State.

The incident reportedly occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, close to the airport entrance, while the three-man team was on official assignment.

In a public statement issued shortly after the attack, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Citizen Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, confirmed that although the official vehicle was ambushed, the convoy of Governor Otti himself was not involved.

He further clarified that no lives were lost in the attack.