The gunmen who attacked and killed eight leaders in Umucheke community in Onuimo council area of Imo state were reportedly six in number.
A community leader in Umucheke, who spoke to security operatives during an on-the-spot assessment of the incident by the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), confirmed this information.
The leader, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons, said: “The gunmen who carried out that attack were six in number. They drove into our community on three motorcycles. We saw them but did not realize they were gunmen coming to attack us, so we did not raise any alarm. It was only when we started hearing gunshots and calls for help that everyone began running and seeking safety. Those killed were our cabinet chiefs and some of our youth leaders. We are in deep pain and our community has suffered a great loss. We mourn because they were killed in such a brutal manner.”
**Police and NSCDC Visit Community**
The Imo State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) visited the Umucheke Community in Onuimo Council Area of Imo state, where eight individuals were shot dead by gunmen last Saturday.
Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri. He suggested that the attackers were suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The authorities vowed to apprehend the attackers.
The command stated: “Today, 04/8/2024, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, with the Sole Administrator of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi, representative of the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Major AI Maikarifi, Commandant NSCDC, Comdt. Matthew Ovye, and other security agencies visited Umucheke Community in Onuimo LGA for an on-the-spot assessment of the tragic incident that claimed the lives of over eight members of Eze Umucheke Cabinet yesterday, who were gruesomely murdered by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN.
“CP Aboki Danjuma expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the entire community. He assured them that security agencies in the state are working together to apprehend the criminals responsible for this heinous act and ensure they face the full extent of the law.”
(Vanguard)