In A Dusk Operation, Gunmen Kill Two, Raze Vehicles, In Imo Local Government Headquarters

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State Police  Command has assured that efforts are ongoing to track down the suspected perpetrators of the heinous attack on the Headquarters of Isiala-Mbano Local Council of the State.

The attack which was launched on Tuesday night, September 3, 2024 ,by some gunmen, resulted in the killing of two security guards attached to the Council Headquarters.

The attackers also set ablaze several structures and vehicles within the Local Council premises.

The gunmen, according to some eye witness accounts, stormed the Local Government Secretariat at about between 8.30pm and 9.00 pm and started shooting indiscriminately. At end, two of the Security Personnel guarding the Council were shot dead.

“The attackers, also, caused extensive damage, torching vehicles and parts of the Council headquarters.” a witness volunteered.

The sporadic shootings by the gunmen

were said to have forced locals of nearby communities to flee their homes out of fear of being caught in-between the mayhem.

As at the time of reporting, it was not yet clear as to who were responsible for the attack.

The Source reports that the attack ,however, came just hours after a similar one on the Oba Divisional Police formation in Idemili South Local Government Anambra state  on Tuesday morning.

The Anambra State Police Command has since blamed members of the Simon Ekpa-led Autopilots, a faction of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB, for the attack .

For one, the Ekpa led faction of the IPOB had declared a one month rebellion against the South East Governments, beginning from August 28,2024.

The Isiala-Mbano Imo state Tuesday attack is, also, believed strongly by security agencies as having the imprimatur of the Ekpa-led Autopilots militia.

Henry Okoye, the Imo state Command spokesperson, while confirming the attack, however promised that  the attackers will soon be fished out.

“The Command is working tirelessly to apprehend those behind this heinous act “he noted.

The Command, also, urged residents of the state to remain calm and law abiding as the service, in concert with other security agencies will  always ensure the protection of lives and properties of the  people.