Suspected IPOB Gunmen Kill Vigilante Operative, Four Villagers in Fresh Imo Night Raid

Another round of violence has left five people dead in Imo State after gunmen attacked Ajanaumuna village in Ezinachi Community, Okigwe Local Government Area, late Friday night. The victims included a member of the local vigilante team and four residents.

The police spokesperson in Imo, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement released Monday. He said the assailants, suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, stormed the community around 10:30 p.m. and opened fire.

Those killed were identified as vigilante member Emeka Ezeagwula, along with residents Chidi Chileke, Ejike Nwankwo, and Chikodi Ezeagwula, the only female victim. The attackers also set ablaze the home of the local youth security leader and destroyed five motorcycles.

Police operatives were deployed to the scene, evacuated the victims to Okigwe General Hospital, and confirmed that one survivor is receiving treatment while the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the killings, promising that those responsible would be brought to justice. He expressed condolences to the affected families and urged residents to remain calm, assuring that security has been reinforced in Okigwe and surrounding communities.

The incident comes just two days after suspected herders killed a vigilante leader and another member during an attack on Amakohia-Ubi, in Owerri West Local Government Area. Okigwe, in particular, has seen a surge in attacks targeting security agencies, government facilities, and civilians.

Authorities have consistently blamed IPOB for the wave of violence across the South-east, though the separatist group, which is campaigning for an independent state of Biafra, has denied involvement in such assaults.