Gunmen attack Imo community, kill two security men and three others

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

This incident took place early on Saturday. The attackers struck some security men at a checkpoint in the community, sources say.

Some residents believe the security men were from the State Security Service (SSS).

The attackers also shot at some residents, killing at least three people and burning about six houses.

Residents told us that the attackers were part of an illegal oil bunkering group in the area. One resident, Ifeanyi, explained that the leader of this oil bunkering group led the attack as revenge for the killing of one of his members during a recent raid on their camp near a river.

“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 said in Pidgin English.

“They burnt many houses too, about six houses.”

Some residents claimed that eight people died in the attack. But we could not confirm this number.

The victims have been identified as Isioma Osuwa, Noble Chikwado, and Melody Odiuko.

When we reached out on Sunday, the traditional ruler of the community, Bright Ikeji, asked for more time to provide details about the attack.

“I am not at a good location where I can speak about the attack. I’ll call you back,” Mr Ikeji said, but did not give a specific time to be reached for more comments.

He did not respond to further calls or texts asking for updates.

A senior police officer in Imo State confirmed the attack to us on Sunday.

The officer, who did not want to be named because he was not cleared to speak, said two SSS operatives and three residents were killed by suspected members of the illegal oil bunkering group in the area.

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 our reporter to the SSS.

The SSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, denied the reports of any operatives being killed when we contacted her on Tuesday morning.

Ms Dozie said she heard about the attack but was not aware of any SSS operatives being killed.

“I am not aware that any SSS operative was killed. In fact, no SSS person was killed,” she stated, noting that not all security operatives wearing black attire are SSS operatives.