Otti Reveals How He Escaped Assassination Attempt in Abuja

(Abia State Governor, Alex Otti. Photo by Nation News)

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has revealed how he narrowly escaped death during an assassination attempt in July 2015 while pursuing his gubernatorial ambitions.

He said roughly a dozen gunmen came looking for him in Maitama, Abuja, but found an empty building because he had left moments before they arrived.

Otti recounted the incident Thursday during a solemn assembly and covenant renewal service in Umuahia where the state government rededicated Abia to God.

He said the assassins believed he was still inside when they showed up.

Finding him absent, they shot two other people and searched the area thoroughly, even jumping into a neighbouring compound thinking he might be there.

They left empty-handed.

Otti thanked God for removing him from the building before the gunmen struck.

He said the assembly was organised to ensure Abia remained in God's hands rather than under the control of fetish idols and evil societies.

The coordinator of the event, Uzor Nwachukwu, who also serves as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, claimed Abia State had been held captive for years until God raised Otti to liberate it.

That liberation, he said, necessitated the rededication service.