Imo community, environs deserted as soldiers, police run riot in search of killers of colleagues, snatched guns

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The quivers sent across the Umualumaku community of Ehime -Mbano of Imo state and adjoining communities following the killing and burning of about eight security operatives by hoodlums in the area is yet to settle.

Following which eyewitness account has told Nation Update that soldiers have run amok in the area, burning shops and houses, threatening to deal with every male from 15 years upward except they provide the arms and ammunition snatched from their decimated colleagues.

Burnt police Hilux buses

The reports has it that unidentified gunmen, on Tuesday, waylaid and allegedly killed no fewer than eight security operatives comprising of Army, Police and men of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps(NSCDC), set ablaze their two Hilux operation vehicles and dead bodies at Umualumaku Ehime- Mbano of Imo state.

The report went further to state that the incident occurred about 11:30am in Oriagu, around the Aba branch in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

An amateur viral video clip of the attack, showed about four lifeless bodies of soldiers in their uniforms and their guns.

Their two operational Hilux vehicles were also seen in flames.

The road leading to the scene of the incident was said to have been condoned off.

Tension continued to rise within and outside the area.
Shops in the area have since been closed up as presence of several security operatives were ostensibly being notice in the area.

Helicopter caught on camera hovering around the area

Helicopters have been spotted hovering around the area.

In the words of the eyewitness, “As of now people are relocating with families to safer villages.
“Others are already trapped as military has created road blocks on major roads in our area.”

There were reports and other videos of markets and shops in the area razed and destroyed allegedly by uniformed men.

A voice was heard in the video lamenting and decrying the torments and torture ordinary citizens in the area are going through as a result of what happened around them along the highway.

Part of the areas destroyed by the soldiers

Saying such are only applicable to people in that part of the country.

Said, “The poor women they have destroyed their petty trade, are they responsible to what has happened?

“The local tailors, pepper sellers in the markets they have destroyed their wares, are they responsible to what has  happened?
That this unfortunate and dastardly act happened around our area does not mean the perpetrators are from our area.

“Now Imo governorship election is around the corner, politicians could do all sort of things to create tension. Only God will see us through,” he decried.

The report from the video further stated that so many shops, homes and markets in the area were destroyed by the soldiers including, Emma Beer parlour Oriendu- Ekenku, Oriendu market burnt down, Sunshine Tailoring shop and many others.