Not less than six policemen and vigilante members were killed by suspected Biafra agitators on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
In August, Simon Ekpa, heading the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, issued warning of a 30-day shutdown for Nigerian government offices in the South-East due to regional insecurity and Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing detention.
He mentioned that the resolution was reached during a virtual gathering of his Biafra Government in Exile, BRGIE, cabinet.
Ekpa has threatened that the lockdown will start from August 28, 2024, to September 26.
He clarified that the shutdown would impact all Nigerian government offices in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra states in the South-East region.
Ekpa also demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu and all other Biafrans held by the Nigerian government, along with the demilitarization of the South-East.
Three Policemen Shot Dead In Oba
Gunmen, suspected to be members of the secessionist group on Tuesday attacked a police station with bombs at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State killed three policemen and injured others.
Though the Police Command claimed that only one policeman, a Corporal, was killed, a senior Police officer told The Nation that three of their men lost their lives.
The group, which terrorises the Southeast region, also attacked the Oba Civic Centre.
Security Guards Killed Imo
On Tuesday night, gunmen also killed two vigilante members guarding the headquarters of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
The gunmen also set cars parked at the council headquarters ablaze.
Eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the s3cretariat around 8.30pm and shot sporadically, killing two vigilante members on duty and setting part of the council building on fire.
Another eyewitness said, “Two security men at Isiala-Mbano council headquarters have been shot dead. The hoodlums also set ablaze a larger portion of the council building and several vehicles parked in the premises. Many others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
“There is palpable fear in Umuelemai, the LG headquarters because people, as I speak, have fled to neighbouring villages.”
One-hour Spent Profiling Residents Until Gunmen Identified, Killed Police Officer
In another incident, gunmen launched an attack on Umulogho Community in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo, on Wednesday, killing a police operative and torching a section of a police station.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the incident happened at Umulogho by NEPA Junction on the Owerri-Umuahia Road.
They were reported to have stormed the area in a Sienna bus at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday night.
NAN also learnt that the hoodlums spent more than one-hour profiling residents of the area until they identified and killed the police officer.
“Upon identifying the man as a police operative, he was tortured with a machete and left to die,” a source from the community told NAN on the condition of anonymity.
The source further said that the gunmen, who operated unchallenged, returned in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to burn down a section of the Divisional Police Station in the area.
Another source further disclosed that it took several hours before military personnel responded to the distress call made by the residents.
“Imo Police Command and the State Government need to step up the fight against insecurity in the state, especially in the rural areas.
“It is confusing how there are three different police formations domiciled in one police division, namely the Area Command, Isiweke Police Station and Obowo Police Division, yet the hoodlums were not challenged.
“It is even more worrisome that the police couldn’t respond because they claimed they did not have any operational vehicle.
“This is disheartening. It portends danger for residents that there is no security in the area,” the source said.
Police Reaction
In a statement on Wednesday evening by the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye said that Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, in coordination with leaders of various security agencies, has initiated a decisive response to the attacks.
The statement further read, “The assault by these hoodlums, who came in large numbers, firing sporadically and throwing improvised fuel bombs, caused minimal damage, including the destruction of vehicles and parts of both the local government headquarters and the police division building.
“Frantic efforts were made to repel the attackers but unfortunately two vigilante personnel lost their lives. Also a Police Constable was gruesomely murdered in his house in Obowo. The loss of these brave individuals underscores the grave risks faced by those dedicated to protecting our society.
“In the wake of the cowardly attacks, security forces have been massively deployed and equipped with advanced operational resource to crack down on the miscreants responsible and make them face the full wrath of the law.
“More so, a high-level assessment was conducted on 04/09/2024 by the Commissioner of Police together with the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. UA Lawal, Commander Oguta Naval Base, Commodore MB Salisu, SSA on Security Affairs, Rtd General Joseph Ogbonna, Commandant NSCDC, CC. Mathew Ovey, the Acting Sole Administrator of Isiala Mbano, Hon. Chika Okirike, and the Chairman of the Isiala Mbano Vigilante Group during which they strongly condemned the senseless attacks and vowed to implementing enhanced security measures to prevent future incidents.
“The security chiefs addressed the situation with determination and urged vigilante groups and serving personnel to persevere in the midst of security challenges. They emphasized the need for continued collaboration to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the State and called on community leaders to mobilize support in the ongoing fight against violence. In addition, residents are encouraged to assist security agencies by reporting any suspicious activities or individuals.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police reaffirms the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. On behalf of the security agencies, he extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen security personnel and assures the public that every effort will be made to enhance peace and security in the State.”
