Gunmen attack Imo community, kill five including security agents

At least five people, including two security agents, were killed in Imo State. This happened when gunmen attacked Abacheke, a community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.

The attack took place in the early hours of Saturday. The hoodlums targeted some security agents at a checkpoint in the community, according to reports.

Some residents said the security agents were from the State Security Service (SSS). The attackers also shot at some residents, killing at least three and burning around six houses.

Several residents told reporters that the attackers were part of an illegal oil bunkering group in the area. A resident, who went by Ifeanyi, revealed that the leader of this group ordered the attack on the security personnel. This was in response to the reported killing of one of his cartel members during a recent raid at their illegal oil site.

“So he got angry, attacked and killed the two operatives, including their second-in-command. The operatives were wearing black attire. And because the security checkpoint is very close to Abacheke, they now entered the community in anger and started shooting people who were not involved in the raid,” he explained in Pidgin English.

“They burnt many houses too, about six houses.” Some residents even claimed that eight people died in the attack, but this could not be confirmed.

The victims of the attack included Isioma Osuwa, Noble Chikwado, and Melody Odiuko. When contacted on Sunday, the traditional ruler of the community, Bright Ikeji, requested time to provide more details about the incident.

“I am not at a good location where I can speak about the attack. I’ll call you back,” Mr Ikeji said, but he did not specify when he could be reached again. He did not respond to further calls or texts.

A police officer in Imo State confirmed the attack, but asked to remain anonymous. He said that two SSS operatives and three residents were killed by suspected members of the illegal oil bunkering group.

On Tuesday morning, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, told our reporter to contact the SSS for more details.

“I don’t like issuing statements on something involving another security agency,” Mr Okoye said, directing the reporter to the SSS.

The SSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, denied that any SSS operatives were killed when contacted on Tuesday. She said, "I am not aware that any SSS operative was killed. In fact, no SSS person was killed," adding that not all security agents in black attire are SSS operatives.