Gunmen have attacked the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area headquarters of Imo State, killing two local vigilante members who were guarding the premises.
The assailants, who attacked the local government headquarters on Tuesday night, also set several vehicles parked at the council headquarters on fire.
According to witnesses, the gunmen arrived at the secretariat around 8:30 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately and killing the two vigilante members on duty. They then set part of the council building ablaze.
One witness said, “Two security personnel at the Isiala-Mbano council headquarters were killed. The attackers also torched a significant portion of the building and several vehicles. Many others sustained injuries and fled the scene.”
The attack has raised a heightened fear in Umuelemai, the local government headquarters, as residents have sought refuge in nearby villages.
Also, on Tuesday night and early hours of Wednesday, gunmen attacked the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, killing a police officer.
It was gathered that the attackers first struck at NEPA Junction in Umulogho community on Tuesday night, where they targeted a specific police officer at his residence. After identifying him, they killed him and set his belongings on fire before fleeing.
In the early hours of Wednesday, the gunmen returned and set the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters in Otoko community ablaze.
A local source reported that the attack on Tuesday night involved heavy gunfire that lasted for about 30 minutes, coinciding with an attack on the Isiala Mbano council headquarters.
The same source noted that a police officer was pulled from his home and killed at NEPA Junction, while a male student from the College of Nursing Sciences Umulogho was injured by a stray bullet. Other victims have yet to be identified.
The source further explained that the first attack occurred between 8 pm and 9 pm, with gunmen targeting a specific policeman living in the area.
They killed him, destroyed his belongings, and injured a student nurse, who was rushed to the hospital and survived. Police and soldiers later arrived to retrieve the officer’s body.
Around 3am on Wednesday, the gunmen returned and attacked the Otoko Police Divisional Headquarters, firing for approximately 30 minutes.
The extent of casualties in this second attack is still unknown as fear has prevented anyone from approaching the burned facility.
Confirming the incidents, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Henry Okoye, said, “The command has deployed tactical teams to apprehend those responsible for this crime.”
