Another vigilante operative and four residents were killed on Friday when gunmen attacked Ajanaumuna village in Ezinachi Community, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
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Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the attack, which occurred at about 10:30 p.m., was carried out by suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network.
The attack occurred exactly two days after a vigilante leader and another vigilante member were killed by suspected herders who attacked Amakohia-Ubi, a community in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.
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How the latest attack occurred
Mr Okoye said a member of a local youth vigilante team in the community, Emeka Ezeagwula, was shot dead alongside four other residents in the area.
The police spokesperson identified the four other slain victims as Emeka Ezeagwula, Chidi Chileke and Ejike Nwankwo – all males, and Chikodi Ezeagwula, the only female.
“The assailants further set ablaze the residence of the youth security leader and destroyed five motorcycles,” Mr Okoye said.
He said the police were deployed to the scene of the incident upon receipt of the distress report about the attack and even evacuated the victims to Okigwe General Hospital.
“Their remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while one survivor is currently receiving medical treatment,” he said.
Mr Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the deadly attack and vowed that the hoodlums would be prosecuted.
He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased victims, wished the injured survivor a speedy recovery, and prayed that God grant the affected families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The commissioner urged residents of Imo State to remain calm, assuring that security had been reinforced in Okigwe and its environs.
The police chief enjoined the residents to support police operatives with “credible and timely information” that can aid ongoing investigations.
Increased attacks
Like other states in Nigeria’s South-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.
Okigwe is among the local government areas which have witnessed increased attacks in the state.
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The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
Hundreds of people have been killed or abducted, and several others injured in some of such attacks in the region.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region.
But the separatist group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.
