Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Residents of Irete Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, are currently enveloped in palpable fear after suspected herdsmen invaded and machete two siblings few days ago.
Our correspondent learnt that since Wednesday, members of the community have been plagued by persistent insecurity issues, primarily attributed to attacks by armed individuals suspected to be Fulani herdsmen residing within the area, especially at the surrounding bushes and in uncompleted buildings.
It was gathered that on Wednesday night, Irete Vigilante engaged these armed hoodlums in a gunfight.
A local source who preferred not to be named said the assailants had tried to rob some female residents along the Owerri/Onitsha Expressway before the Vigilante members intervened.
The source said the confrontation by the local security operatives led to the attackers fleeing into nearby bushes along the northern part of Irete community, eventually making their escape through the nearby River Nwaorie.
While fleeing, the hoodlums attacked several residents along their escape route. Among the victims were two siblings, Uche Agbanyi and his sister Ugochi Agbanyi.
Our correspondent gathered that the two siblings sustained severe injuries. Initially, they were rejected by a local hospital in Irete but were later admitted to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Owerri.
Another source who’s also aware of this incident, confirmed to our correspondent that that one the siblings, Ugochi died on Friday night.
Some leaders of the community have appealed to the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, and other relevant security agencies to intervene and enhance security measures in Irete.
When our correspondent reached out to the Imo state police spokesperson for comments, an ASP, Henry Okoye said he’s not aware of this incident. He promised to get back to our correspondent but was yet to do so as at press time.
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