21st March, 2011
The Accord Party senatorial candidate for Anambra Central in the April polls, Sen. Annie Okonkwo, on Monday escaped death when thugs made an attempt on him with machetes.
An eye witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that at least one person allegedly died in the incident.
The eye witness said trouble started at about 9:15 a.m. when the senator arrived Eke-Awka market on campaign tour to address the traders, whom he had earlier donated a transformer to.
“There was jubilation when the senator arrived,” the source said.
The source added that pandemonium ensued when the victim rose in the course of the rally and began chanting APGA songs and slogans but was whisked away by securitymen attached to Okonkwo.
The source explained that the victim furiously returned to the scene of the rally with more thugs armed with machetes and rushed to the direction of Okonkwo to attack him.
“The senator’s orderly allegedly shot him, but he rose from the ground and the orderly shot the second time,” he said.
The source said that the incident forced people to scamper for safety while the senator hurridly left the scene.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incidence, said that investigation was ongoing on the matter.
Chukwuemeka confirmed that Okonkwo had laid a complaint on his assassination attempt and had his clothes torn when he visited the station.
“The state CID is conducting thorough investigation and until they conclude their investgation then we can not issue any statement, but I do not think there was any death recorded,” Chukwuemeka said.
Chukwuemeka gave the victim’s name as Sunday Agbo, but quickly added that no death was recorded in the incident.
“Uchenna Obiora was also arrested in connection with the incident and is presently under police custody.
“The knife belonging to Agbo was recovered and he is receiving treatment in a hospital,” the police spokesman added.
