Fresh violence erupted in Imo State on Thursday as gunmen launched a deadly assault on travellers in Abor Umulolo, Okigwe Local Government Area.
While the police confirmed the incident, they did not disclose the number of casualties.
However, Amnesty International claimed that as many as 30 travellers were killed, fueling tension across the state.
Police authorities attributed the attack to suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to the police, the assailants opened fire on commuters in Onuimo and Okigwe in the early hours of the day, killing several individuals and torching vehicles.
Responding security forces engaged the gunmen in a fierce shootout.
“The hoodlums were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the security agents,” the police said. One of the gunmen was killed in the process, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
The attackers, said to have operated in three coordinated groups, allegedly barricaded the highway around 4 am, firing sporadically and setting vehicles on fire.
“A full-scale search and cordon operation is currently underway, with security operatives combing nearby forests and surrounding areas where the suspects are believed to be hiding,” police officials added.
At the scene, a snatched Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 283 CN and an HP laptop were recovered.
State Police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the body of the deceased suspect had been taken to the morgue.
“The recovered items are in police custody for further investigation,” he said.
Okoye added that an intensive manhunt was ongoing to capture the fleeing attackers. He urged residents to “remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that 30 travellers were killed and 20 vehicles, including trucks, were burnt during the incident.
The organization called on the government to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a related development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, refuted claims that extradition proceedings had begun against Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of IPOB.
His Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, clarified that recent media reports had misrepresented the minister’s statements.
“The report is untrue and a complete departure from what the AGF said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum held on Thursday in Abuja,” Ogundele stated.
He explained that Fagbemi only noted that discussions were ongoing with Finnish authorities to ensure accountability.
“Ekpa, who is currently facing trial in Finland, is being discussed in diplomatic channels to ensure he is held responsible for his actions,” Ogundele said.
