Tension in Imo as Unknown Gunmen Strike, Kill 3 People, Details Emerge

• Unidentified gunmen have murdered some people in Umuaka community in Njaba LGA of Imo state
• The commissioner of police, Imo state command, Aboki Danjuma, took action on the latest attack
• Like other states in Nigeria's southeast region, security has deteriorated in Imo state with frequent attacks by armed persons

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism and security matters.

Owerri, Imo state - Unknown gunmen have opened fire on a patrol vehicle, killing three vigilante operatives and a passerby at Umuaka community in Njaba local government area (LGA) of Imo state.

As reported byVanguard, the incident occurred near Hilltop Primary School at about 7.20pm on Sunday, July 7.

PM News also noted the sad development.

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Confirming the tragic incident to NAN in Owerri on Monday, July 8, Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in Imo state, said three vigilante personnel and a female passerby, hit by a stray bullet, died during the attack.

Okoye added that the commissioner of police (CP), Aboki Danjuma, had deployed a tactical squad to hunt down the attackers.

Worsening insecurity in southeast Nigeria persists

Like other states in Nigeria's southeast region, security has deteriorated in Imo state with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest attack occurred just a week after gunmen killed two police operatives in Abia state.

The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the controversial group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

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IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east.

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Gunmen kill 2 police operatives, 1 civilian

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that gunmen killed two police officers, including a civilian in Akabo, a community in Ikeduru LGA of Imo state.

A resident, who recounted his ordeal, reported that the attackers were driving along the road when they encountered police officers at a checkpoint and subsequently opened fire on them.

Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng