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Unknown Gunmen Wreck Havoc In Imo LGAs, Anambra, Kill Policemen
Gunmen killed another police operative in Imo State on Wednesday at a junction in Umulogho, a community in Obowo Local Government Area of the state
Unknown gunmen have attacked the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters in Imo State on the night of September 3, setting several office buildings ablaze and killing multiple security operatives. The assailants struck between 8:30pm and 9pm, then quickly fled the scene.
Reports said attack occurred during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, which were being held to select chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the 27 councils and 305 wards in the state.
Gunmen killed another police operative in Imo State on Wednesday at a junction in Umulogho, a community in Obowo Local Government Area of the state, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The latest attack came barely 24 hours after gunmen bombed Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Anambra State.
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The Oba Police Station attack, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the killing of another police officer.
According to reports, those killed included individuals suspected to be members of the Ebubeagu security outfit, which was established by the government. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the police have not issued an official statement.
A source in the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “Imo Police Command and the state government need to step up the fight against insecurity in the state, especially in the rural areas.
“It is confusing how there are three different police formations domiciled in one police division, namely the Area Command, Isiweke Police Station and Obowo Police Division, yet the hoodlums were not challenged.
“It is even more worrisome that the police couldn’t respond because they claimed they did not have any operational vehicle,” the source said.
“This is disheartening. It portends danger for residents that there is no security in the area.”
A resident, who asked not to be named, called on the Imo State Government to establish and equip vigilante groups in every community to support the police in the fight against violent crimes in the state.
In a related incident, the Otoko LGA headquarters in the Okigwe zone of Imo State also came under attack, with similar methods employed by the unchallenged assailants.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has confirmed the incident, saying the command in collaboration with other security agencies, has initiated a decisive response to the recent attacks perpetrated by hoodlums.
Meanwhile, the the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to NAN on Wednesday.
Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the state police command had deployed a special unit to the area to track down the killers of the operative.
In words, “As I am talking to you, I am with the commissioner of police, and together with other service chiefs, we intend to visit the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.”
“We want to equally inspire a certain level of confidence in the officers and residents, so they can go ahead with their duties and businesses without fear.”
Not more four days ago, gunmen attacked the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state.
Recall that in June, it was reported that armed hoodlums attacked the same Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat.
The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region without evidence or substantial proof which the group repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which existed before the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria by the British.