Gunmen on Saturday, August 3, at Umucheke Okwe, in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State shot to death eight community leaders.
According to reports, the residents who spoke to newsmen, stated that the victims included the President General of the community, Hyginus Ohazuruike, and seven other village chiefs.
A resident of the community, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the gunmen stormed the President General’s shop where he and the village chiefs were having a meeting. Upon reaching there, they opened fire on them.
According to the source, “Immediately the gunmen got to the shop, which is inside the community market, they opened fire on the President General and others having a meeting with him.
“They killed all the community leaders and burnt the place with their corpses inside,” he said.
Another resident, who identified himself simply as Ejike, said many villagers had deserted the community. Especially, other local chiefs, for fear of another attack.
“We don’t know the people who carried out the attack or why they attacked,” Ejike said.
He, however, pointed that aside from the PG, Ohazuruike, some of the slain village chiefs include Martin Osigwe, Ofoma Eji, Onuoha, Frederick Obiechefu, Ignatius Onuoha and Chinedu.
Efforts to get the Imo State Police Command spokesman to confirm the incident proved abortive.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, did not respond to calls and a text seeking his comments.
Recall that security situation in Imo State for sometime now has deteriorated. This even as armed persons frequently attack both the residents and security operatives in the State.
The latest recorded attack occurred less than a week after gunmen killed four police operatives in Owerri.
Also a woman, a Point on Sale machine, PoS, operator , was also killed in the Monday attack.
However, the controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, has claimed responsibility for the killings.
The following day, a police officer, J.C. Ireozor, was killed in a separate attack in Nworiubi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
According to reports, Ireozor was killed alongside a resident, Paulinus Mbakwe, during the attack.
Also, some gunmen, in a similar attack same Tuesday, Killed an entrepreneur at Amawire Junction.
The entrepreneur, identified as Okey Nze, was shot dead in his boutique shop during the attack.
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