They Were Looking For Me — Alex Otti Recounts Narrow Escape From Armeden Men

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has recounted how he narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt by about 12 armed men in Maitama, Abuja, in July 2015.

Otti shared the account on Thursday during a solemn assembly and covenant renewal service held in Umuahia, where he said the suspected attackers arrived at the location shortly after he had left.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the governor said the armed men were allegedly looking for him but failed to find him because he had already departed the premises. He added that the assailants reportedly shot two people before leaving the area.

“They shot two persons. They were looking for me, but God had taken me away,” Otti recalled.

He said the attackers, numbering about 12, reportedly moved into a neighbouring compound and searched the premises after assuming he was still inside.

“They finished; they couldn’t find me. They were about 12. They jumped into the next compound and stripped the whole place. They thought I was there, but I had left,” he said.

Otti expressed gratitude to God for what he described as his narrow escape from the incident, which occurred while he was pursuing his political ambition of becoming governor of Abia State.

The governor made the disclosure during the state government’s solemn assembly and covenant renewal service, which was organised to rededicate Abia State to God and seek divine guidance for the affairs of the state.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, who serves as coordinator of the solemn assembly, said the gathering was aimed at reaffirming the state’s commitment to God and rejecting fetish practices and secret societies.

Nwachukwu also claimed that Abia had endured years of what he described as “captivity” before Otti emerged as governor.

The governor’s account of the 2015 incident formed part of his broader message on his belief in divine protection and the role of faith in his political journey.