The Imo State Police Command has commenced intensive manhunt for the fleeing gunmen connected to the Thursday’s attack on travellers in Onuimo and Okigwe local government areas of the State
Sources said gunmen had on Thursday morning halted off traffic in Onuimo and the Okigwe-Owerri Expressway for hours and unleashed mayhem on road travellers, killing a yet-to-be identified number of people, burnt over 20 trucks.
Spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said the fleeing gunmen were suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), adding that intense investigations had commenced to unmask them.
Okoye said: “vigorous manhunt is ongoing to track down fleeing suspects. An intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.”
According to him, the Police were working in collaboration with other security agencies in an intelligence-led operation in Abor-Umulolo, in the Okigwe local government area of Imo state.
He disclosed that the gunmen engaged security operatives in a gun battle that resulted in the death of one suspect, while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.
Further, he said investigations were ongoing using the items recovered from the dead suspect, adding that a hijacked Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 283 CN and a HP laptop were recovered from the scene.
DSP Okoye said: “Following the violent attack on commuters in Onuimo and parts of Okigwe by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN in the early hours of 8th May 2024, operatives of the Imo State Police Command, in synergy with other security agencies, launched an intelligence-led operation in Abor-Umulolo, Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
“The hoodlums on sighting the operatives, opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the operative. In the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralized, while others fled with varying degrees of bullet wounds.
“A snatched Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 283 CN and an HP laptop were recovered from the scene. The body of the neutralized suspect has been deposited at the morgue, while the recovered items are in police custody for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity to the nearest police station or via emergency phone lines: 0803 477 3600, 08148024755.
DSP Okoye promised the Police will provide further updates as investigations continued.
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