Gunmen Attack Travellers in Imo: Police, Amnesty Offer Conflicting Accounts

Confusion surrounds a deadly attack on travellers in Imo State after gunmen launched coordinated assaults in the early hours of Thursday. The attack, which occurred in the Abor Umulolo area of Okigwe Local Government, left several people dead and vehicles burned. While the Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident, it did not provide an official death toll. However, Amnesty International claimed that 30 travellers were killed and 20 vehicles were set ablaze, triggering widespread fear across the state.

The police blamed the violence on suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). According to police accounts, the attackers, operating in three groups, blocked the highway around 4:00 a.m., opened fire on commuters, and set vehicles on fire. Security operatives dispatched to the scene reportedly engaged the gunmen in a shootout. One suspect was killed, while others fled into nearby forests with gunshot wounds. Recovered at the scene were a snatched Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 283 CN and a Hewlett-Packard laptop, now in police custody.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye confirmed the death of one assailant and said the body had been deposited in a morgue. He added that a full-scale manhunt is underway, with security forces conducting search operations in surrounding areas to capture the fleeing suspects. The command urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for a thorough investigation into the attack and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. The rights group’s claim of 30 fatalities has not been independently verified but has intensified calls for government accountability.

In a related development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, denied reports that the Federal Government had initiated extradition proceedings against Simon Ekpa, a factional IPOB leader currently facing trial in Finland. Fagbemi’s spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, clarified that the minister had only mentioned ongoing diplomatic discussions with Finnish authorities to ensure Ekpa is held accountable for his actions.

The situation remains tense as security agencies continue their operations, while the public awaits clearer answers on the scale and cause of the violence.