VIDEO: Gunmen set Nigerian governor Hope Uzodinma’s house on fire, kill security men dailyposte.com

Gunmen attacked the country home of a Nigerian Governor, Hope Uzodinma’s house in the early hours of Saturday, setting his property on fire and killing two of the governor’s security men on duty, according to multiple local media sources.

Videos of the incident which went viral on Nigeria’s internet space captures the moment the armed men were shooting and setting the entire property – houses and luxury Rolls Royce car, on fire at Omuma in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.

The incident happened few days after unknown gunmen attacked the police headquarters and the correctional center in Owerri, Imo State, setting 38 vehicles ablaze and freeing 1,844 inmates.

Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, confirmed the incident to The Punch.

“It is true, but the information is not still clear. It is not true that several security men lost their lives. About two security men on duty at the governor’s house were killed. One NSCDC personnel was among the security men who lost their lives during the attack,” the State commissioner told The Punch.

The house that was attacked is the Governor’s principal place of residence as he does not always live in his official home at the government house, according to the report.

The motive behind the attack is not yet known.

Hope Uzodima, 75, became the governor of Imo State under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 14, 2020, after the Supreme Court in Nigeria declared him winner of the disputed 2019 governorship election in Imo State, nullifying the election of a former governor’s favorite, Emeka Ihedioha.

Imo State government said that a preliminary investigation into the attack may have been politically motivated. In a statement, the state Commissioner for information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said an investigation has been launched into the attack.

The statement in part reads

“Gallant security operatives this morning repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma.

At about 9am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 driving in a motorcade of three vehicles accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tires, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA and attempted to burn down the house.

However, vigilant security operatives attached to the Governor’s house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimized the damage they had planned to unleash.

In the crossfire that ensued a few casualties were recorded. Preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored

The government has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.”

Watch the video below