Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have launched a deadly attack on Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno communities in Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, killing over seven people and leaving several others critically injured.
Naijaonpoint understands that the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has raised concerns across the state, as terrified residents reportedly fled the affected villages for fear of further violence.
Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Okoye Henry, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Friday.
He described the attack as gruesome and unprovoked, adding that more than seven people were confirmed dead, while an undisclosed number of others sustained life-threatening injuries.
According to the police, Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable.
“The senseless assault, which claimed the lives of over seven persons and left several others critically injured, was described by the CP as barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable,” the statement read.
In response, CP Danjuma has reportedly led a tactical unit to comb the affected areas, with a directive to fish out the attackers and restore normalcy.
“He assured the public that the Command has deployed adequate operational and intelligence assets to identify, apprehend, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the police spokesperson stated.
“The situation is now under control, and proactive security measures have been taken to forestall further attacks and restore lasting peace in the region.”
The police called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives, urging anyone with useful information to come forward.
Naijaonpoint reports, however, that no group has, as of the time of filing this report, claimed responsibility for the attack, but police say IPOB elements are suspected, given the group’s violent history in the region.