The Imo police command says Ahmed Gulak, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was killed near the airport in Owerri, capital of the state.
The Drum Online had reported that the former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was shot dead on Sunday morning while heading to the airport to catch a flight to Abuja.
According to the police, Gulak left his hotel without any security detail in spite of the insecurity in the state.
Bala Elkana, the Imo police spokesman, said six armed bandits intercepted and shot at the APC chieftain who was heading to the airport in a taxi.
The statement read: “On the 30/5/2021, at about 07:20hrs, armed bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.
“Ahmed Gulak left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the Police nor sister agencies in view of the fragile security situation in the South East and Imo in particular.
“He left without any security escorts and while the cab driver took irregular route to the airport, six armed bandits who rode in a Toyota Sienna intercepted, identified and shot at Ahmed Gulak at around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport.
“The Commissioner of Police Imo CP Abutu Yaro, fdc has directed a discreet investigation into the matter as Tactical and Special forces have been deployed to cordone the area and arrest perpetrators.”
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had issued a sit-at-home order to residents of south-east states from May 29 to 31.
As a result of the order, economic activities have been affected as residents opt to stay at home for fear of their lives.