Gunmen on Thursday took over and blocked a highway along Okigwe-Owerri Road between Umuna and Amuro communities in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, flagged down and burnt several vehicles.
Penpushing reports that multiple sources on Friday said the hoodlums killed many residents, especially when security operatives engaged the assailants in a shootout, adding that over 20 vehicles, mainly tippers and trucks, were set ablaze by the attackers.
The resident identified as Augustine Mbanusi, while narrating the incident said some soldiers and police operatives confronted the bandits, adding that as at the time of filing this report 30 people were killed.
Penpushing further reports that Mbanusi emphasised that the majority of the slain victims were those whose vehicles were razed by the hoodlums, pointing out that the exact casualty figure was yet to be ascertained.
The video clip circulating on Facebook as at the time of this report showed several trucks in flames along the road, while voices of sympathisers in the background of the clip suggested that some travellers were still trapped in the vehicles while the fire raged.
“People are still trapped there (in the vehicles). If we had water, we would have poured them on the vehicles to rescue the trapped travellers. One of them is even dead already’, a male voice was heard
Penpushing also reports that the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye confirmed the attack and killings, adding that the hoodlums who were operating in three separate groups blocked the highway and attacked the travellers.
“They shot sporadically, causing panic and chaos, and set vehicles – including trucks and motorcycles – ablaze. Tragically, reports of human casualties have also been confirmed as a result of the ambush’, Okoye.
Penpushing reports Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, however, did not mention the number of the victims killed in the attack, but said the hoodlums were suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous of Biafra (IPOB).
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, has led a joint tactical team of security operatives to the scene of the attack following receipt of information about the incident.
Penpushing further reports that he disclosed that the joint security team comprised personnel of the Nigerian Army, the police and the State Security Service, stressing that the team provided immediate support to victims and initiated a comprehensive operation to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects responsible for this heinous attack.
The Command Public Relations Officer in the statement said the security team has launched a manhunt for the hoodlums, assuring that a full-scale search and cordon operation was currently underway
“A full-scale search and cordon operation is currently underway, with security operatives combing nearby forests and surrounding areas where the suspects are believed to be hiding,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that the statement stated that the commissioner of police who condemned the attack and described it as a cowardly act of terror, has assured residents of Imo State that the operation will continue until all perpetrators are tracked down.
The police boss urged the residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and security conscious as well as cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to aid ongoing operations.
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