Panic As Gunmen Launch Fresh Attacks In Owerri

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alongside the Eastern Security Network (ESN), on Wednesday launched a series of attacks across the Imo state capital, Owerri.

Some parts of the state capital, like Ikenegbu, Imo State University (IMSU) back gate, Wetheral Road, Amawusa, and Toronto axis, recorded sporadic gunshots, which sent residents into panic mode.

Naija News reports that Imo State Police Command Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

Okoye said the gunmen adopted a ‘guerilla-style strategy’, where they come out from their enclaves, unleash surprise attacks, and return to hiding.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has launched a head-on attack on the suspected gunmen to deal with them and urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police has personally led men to the scene. The Command is on-top of the situation. We will get the miscreants reponsible for the senseless attacks either dead or alive.

“We will so deal with the miscreants responsible for the attacks and killing of security operatives and unsuspecting members of the public in such a way that they will never think of perpetrating insecurity in the State.

“Let us encourage Imolites to report any suspicious person/activities to the Police. This is indeed a trying time but together, we will come out victorious. Imo must be peaceful.

“They are pure cowards, the criminals suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN adopted a guerilla-like strategic where they come out from their enclaves, unleash a surprise attack and go back into hiding. However, concerted efforts are underway by security agencies to apprehend them.

“Our men had a shoot-out with hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN. Intensive operation is ongoing to restore back normalcy.”