- Okoye maintained that peace and calm have returned to the villages as security operatives have been deployed and tactical teams have launched an intense manhunt for the killers
A slew of attacks on three communities in Imo State by rampaging gunmen have claimed the lives of seven people.
The communities, which were attacked on Friday, are Umualoma, Ndiakunwanta and Ndiejezie in Arondizogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of the southeast state.
The gunmen were said to have stormed the affected communities on a motorbike and opened fire on locals, leaving many people dead and several others critically injured.
The victims of the attack, which happened during the early hours of Friday, July 25, 2025, were said to be shop owners, their customers, and passersby.
According to Punch, the victims were hanging out at drinking bars, some others playing a draft game, when gunmen on a motorbike sped past, shooting indiscriminately at anyone.
“The people who died were in different bars drinking, or were the people selling and attending to their customers. I heard they also shot at people who were playing a draft game to while away time. As I speak to you, about 12 people are lying dead, and many are critically injured due to running to seek safety,” the newspaper quoted a source in one of the communities as saying.
The spokesman of the State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement on Friday.
He, however, said seven people were killed and several people were injured. He described the assault as barbaric and unacceptable.
Okoye maintained that peace and calm have returned to the villages as security operatives have been deployed and tactical teams have launched an intense manhunt for the killers.
He stated that members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN were behind the attack, adding that security measures have been put in place to ensure there is lasting peace in the region.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has strongly condemned the gruesome attack carried out by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN in the early hours of today, 25th July 2025, at Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno, all in Arondizuogu, Ideato North LGA.
“The senseless assault, which claimed the lives of over seven persons and left several others critically injured, was described by the CP as barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable. He assured the public that the Command has deployed adequate operational and intelligence assets to identify, apprehend, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Consequently, the CP has led tactical units for intense combing of the affected areas and affirmed that the situation is now under control, and proactive security measures have been taken to forestall further attacks and restore lasting peace in the region,” the statement read.