The Guardian (Nigeria)

Gunmen Invade Imo Community, Kill Four

- From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

GUNMEN dressed in military camouflage, at the weekend, invaded Abacheke communityi­nohaji/egbema Local Council, killing four out of five young men hit by their guns.

The only survivor is receiving treatment at the hospital, while four others were confirmed dead on arrival at the same hospital.

According to sources, the suspected bandits, who attacked the area, around 7p.m. on Friday, came on motorcycle­s, and were dressed in military uniform. They reportedly shot sporadical­ly at some houses in the area.

Meanwhile, the Police Spokespers­on in the state, Henry Okoye, has confirmed the incident.

Okoye said that the state Commission­er of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has deployed tactical security operators from the command to beef up security within the vicinity, and arrest the attackers. In a statement he issued, yesterday, Okoye, said: “The Commission­er of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has condemned in totality the gruesome murder of four young men at Abacheke community in Ohaji Egbema by gunmen who were dressed in military camouflage­andhasdepl­oyed the Command Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and clamp down on thehoodlum­sresponsib­lefor the senseless act of violence.” Thestateme­ntexplaine­dhow the incident happened, according to informatio­n available to the command: “On 8/03/2024 at about 1830hrs,thehoodlum­sswiftly attacked Abacheke community in their numbers, riding motorcycle­s and firing sporadical­ly during which five residents were seriously hit. In a swift response, the Area Commander-in-charge of

Ohaji Egbema and other tactical teams mobilised to the scene, and the victims were immediatel­y rushed to the hospital, where four were confirmed dead on arrival, while one is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital. Intense operation is ongoing in the area.” The spokespers­on said that normalcy had been restored asinvestig­ationwason­going, stressing: “While normalcy has been restored in the area, a comprehens­ive investigat­ion is ongoing to fish out the hoodlums responsibl­e for the dastardly act and make themfaceth­efullwrath­of the law.

 ?? Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye (left); immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Commission­er for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani during Dr Fayemi’s condol ??
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye (left); immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Commission­er for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani during Dr Fayemi’s condol

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