The Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, condemned the vicious attack on the convoy of the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.

The rights group challenged governors and political leaders in the South East to explore regional wide solution to insecurity in the once peaceful region. 

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, recalled that the one-term former governor was attacked by gunmen at Ehime Mbano Council of the state, with four people in his entourage feared killed.

Narrating his ordeal, the former governor said his bulletproof vehicle and his driver, who brought to bear his skills, saved him and his children from the gunmen.

It noted that the police and the army are yet to obtain any intelligence on the identity of those sponsoring the violent campaigns of terror in the South East.

HURIWA, therefore, advised that now is the time for South East governors and lgbo patriots to explore innovative solutions to crises in the region.  

HURIWA quoted Ohakim to have said: “We were driving between Isiala Mbano and Ehime Mbano. These people blocked us at Umualumaku.
They attacked us from behind and were firing at our vehicles consistently. I thought I was a dead man and I was with two of my children – my son and daughter.

“What saved me was the bulletproof vehicle. That I am alive today is by the special grace of God and the bulletproof vehicle. But, unfortunately, they killed four of our boys, including the driver. Yes, we lost four of the boys and I am devastated. How can that be? What crime did they commit?  

“They pursued us and continued firing at our tyres. Luckily, the vehicle has what is called ‘run-flat tyres’ on which you can continue driving even after a puncture. So, even when they shot at the tyres, hoping to immobilise us, the vehicle continued moving. If they were ordinary tyres and the vehicle had stopped, they would have finished us. But the tyres held on until we got back home. We drove for about 20 minutes before we got home.”