Imo State Under Attack As Gunmen Kill Eight Security Agents And Burn Their Vehicles
Imo State has witnessed another deadly attack by gunmen, who killed eight security agents and set their vehicles ablaze in Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, on Tuesday morning.
The security agents, who were members of a joint task force team comprising soldiers, policemen, and the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, were on patrol in two security trucks when they were ambushed by the assailants.
According to a security operative who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, none of the security agents survived the attack, as they were burnt inside their operational vehicles. He said that reinforcement teams had been deployed to the scene of the crime to arrest the suspects and recover the corpses of the slain security agents.
A resident of the community, who also requested not to be named for fear of reprisal, said that he saw the security agents a few minutes before they were attacked. He said that the community was in a state of panic and confusion, as the sound of gunshots and explosions filled the air.
A video clip of the attack, which was obtained by our correspondent, showed the charred remains of the security agents and their vehicles, as smoke billowed from the scene. The video also captured some of the gunmen, who were armed with rifles and machetes, celebrating their victory.
The spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident but said that he was yet to get the full details. He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies in their investigation.
This is not the first time that Imo State has experienced such a violent attack by gunmen. In recent months, several police stations, correctional facilities, and government buildings have been attacked and destroyed by unknown gunmen, who have also killed several security personnel and freed hundreds of inmates.
The state governor, Hope Uzodinma, has blamed the attacks on members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), who are agitating for a separate state of Biafra in the southeast region. However, IPOB and ESN have denied any involvement in the attacks and accused the governor of trying to tarnish their image.
The federal government has condemned the attacks and vowed to restore peace and order in Imo State and other parts of the country. The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also ordered a crackdown on all criminal elements and secessionist groups in the country.
