Police Accuses IPOB After Gunmen Killed 15 People In Imo Highway Attack

At least 15 people were reportedly killed on Thursday after gunmen launched a deadly attack along the Okigwe road in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

It was gathered that several vehicles, including trucks, were also set on fire during the incident.

The gunmen blocked the Okwelle section of the highway in broad daylight and opened fire on unsuspecting motorists and commuters.

Videos of burning vehicles, especially large trucks, have since circulated on social media.

A resident of Okigwe who spoke to TheCable said he narrowly escaped being shot, but the motorcyclist transporting him wasn’t so lucky.

“I narrowly escaped being shot. I was going to Okigwe on a motorbike without any idea of what was happening.

“But when we got to Okwelle, we met a serious stampede but while my driver was taking a u-turn, they shot him in the neck and killed him.

“I was lucky the bullet didn’t touch me as I immediately made it to the bush for my dear life,” he said.

In a statement on Saturday, Imo Police spokesperson Henry Okoye blamed the attack on suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Okoye said police officers were dispatched to the scene but were met with gunfire from the attackers.

According to him, the officers responded with force and managed to kill one of the gunmen, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“Following the violent attack on commuters in Onuimo and parts of Okigwe by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN in the early hours of 8th May 2024, operatives of the Imo State Police Command, in synergy with other security agencies, launched an intelligence-led operation in Abor-Umulolo, Okigwe LGA of Imo State,” the statement reads.

“The hoodlums on sighting the operatives, opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the operative.

“In the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralized, while others fled with varying degrees of bullet wounds.

“A snatched Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 283 CN and an HP laptop were recovered from the scene.

“The body of the neutralized suspect has been deposited at the morgue, while the recovered items are in police custody for further investigation.

“Meanwhile, an intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.”

This attack adds to growing concerns about rising violence in the South-East region, which has been facing security challenges amid the continued detention and trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

KanyiDaily recalls that a police inspector, Christian Gbaratee was killed in an ambush by gunmen on Tuesday night along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road in Rivers State.