No fewer than eight persons were feared killed on Saturday when unidentified gunmen attacked a community in Imo State.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants stormed a security checkpoint in the Abacheke community of Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State and opened fire, leaving several persons dead.
According to the source, some security operatives were among those killed during the attack.
The gunmen were also said to have set about six houses ablaze, causing panic and forcing some residents to flee the community.
“They killed about eight people, including a security man. The attack was targeted at a checkpoint. It was like a war. They shot for some time and set about six houses ablaze,” the source said.
“There is serious tension and fear in the community. Some residents have fled the area for fear of another attack,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether the attack was connected to the sit-at-home declared by pro-Biafra groups to mark Biafra Day or whether the gunmen were on a separate mission.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the police were unsuccessful, as the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, had yet to comment on the incident.
