Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday evening attacked a gathering of residents of Umuchoke Okwe community in Onuimo Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, kìlling eight on the spot and inflicted varying degrees of injuries on others.
The Daily Crucible learnt that the people were attending a village meeting at the sombre community when the gunmen stormed the location with lightning speed, ruptured their peace with gunshots and mowed down everyone within range.
Some of the fear – stricken villagers who were caught unaware managed to escape the troubled location with gunshot wounds and three of them were said to have been evacuated to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
Among those kîlled is said to be the president-general of Umuchoke Okwe community and some village heads.
The state police spokesman, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident to reporters on Sunday, August 4, said: “Hoodlums, suspected to be members of IPOB, stormed the meeting venue at about 17:00 hours on motorbikes, fully armed. They opened fire and killed eight on the spot, while three others were wounded and rushed to the hospital for treatment.”
According to Okoye, the police commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, has visited the scene and sympathised with the families of those günned down.
“The commissioner has ordered the Command Tactical team and other security agencies to comb the forest near the scene of the incident and fish out the perpetrators.
“We appeal to residents to go about their normal duties, as we have the duty to ensure that lives and property are protected. We also appeal to them to offer information that will lead to the arrest of the hoodlums,” Okoye said.
