.…..IMSU final year student killed
…..Uzodimma blames attack on Politicians
…..4 killed as police repel gunmen attack in Uzodimma’s hometown
Ibe Pascal, Owerri
GUNMEN have attacked and bombed Umuguma police station in Owerri West Local Government and the home of Ohaneze Ndígbo President, Ptof George Obiozor in Awomamma community,Otu East Local Government of Imo State.
The incidents were carried out in the early hours of Saturday.
Yet-to-be identified gunmen during the early hours of Saturday bombed the Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters situated at the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state.
The attackers also killed two police constabularies who were on duty.
Nigerian Pilot learnt that on arrival, the gunmen who came with guns and Explosive Ordinance Disposals immediately opened fire at the divisional headquarters after blocking the roads leading in and out of the station, including the one close to the LGA council headquarters.
Residents of the area told our correspondent that the sounds of the weapons the attackers came with frightened them as they ran into bushes out of fear of being hurt by stray bullets and weapons.
A resident of the area, who does not want to be mentioned, said, “These guys are mean. On arrival, they blocked the roads, threw their dynamite into the police station and equally opened fire. They now waited to attack officers who ran out for safety.
A source who pleaded anonymity said the gunmen attacked the police station at about 3 am on Saturday, blowing it up with dynamite.
He said the building, including cars in the vicinity, were razed.
“It was really a terrible situation. Please be vigilant and stay secured and safe,” he said.
IMSU 400 Level Student Killed
Oguchi Emmanuel Ifeanyi, a 400 level IMSU Engineering Student was among the two police constabularies killed by gunmen who attacked and bombed the Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters situated at the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state on Saturday.
Oguchi Emmanuel Ifeanyi (known as Holy Emmanuel) is a 400L Electrical/Electronic Engineering Student; from Umunkwo in Umuguma community.
It was learnt that Emmanuel Ifeanyi was recruited into the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)last year.
Our correspondent gathered that Ifeanyi was machete and cut when he tried to scale the fence; he died at the spot.
They Used Dynamite – Police
Micheal Abbatam, Imo police spokesperson, confirmed the attack to our correspondent
He, however, said no life was lost, and firearms were not carted away by the assailants as claimed by the people.
“Yes, there was an incident, but our men repelled them, no life was lost and neither did we lose any firearm,” Abbatam said.
“They threw in dynamite which ignited the roof, but our men engaged them.”
Home of Ohaneze Ndígbo President Razed
In a related incident, the country home of the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor was set set ablaze by gunmen in Awomamma community, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
The attack was carried out by gunmen in the early hours of Saturday.
Imo Police spokesperson, Mike Abattam, confirmed the attack to our correspondent
Abattam said the hoodlums who came in vehicles threw petrol bombs in the house damaging properties.
The police spokesperson said no life was lost and no one was injured as Professor Obiozor was not in the house when the gunmen carried out the attack.
He added that the tactical team has been deployed to the area to maintain law and order while an investigation has commenced.
Uzodimma Blames Bombing Of Obiozor’s Home In Politicians
Imo State Government condemned the early morning raising of the home of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor by those it described as political bandits.
In a statement he personally signed, Senator Hope Uzodinma regretted that desperate politician who believes in violence was yet to sheath their swords in spite of a repeated appeal to that effect.
Uzodinma described the attack on the country home of Prof Obiozor as cowardly and a height of desperation.
He vowed that the government was already working in concert with security agencies to identify and punish the perpetrators.
He bemoaned the incessant resort to violence in settling political differences by some politicians in the state and warned that the government would no longer condone such banditry.
According to him, The time of those who unleash this kind of mayhem in the state is over. We shall hunt them down to face the full weight of the law”.
Uzodinma wondered why the bandits should attack the home of a man who is not a politician but a statesman working for the good of the entire Igbo race.
He said it was shameful that both the sponsors and perpetrators of the violence deployed their malicious attack on an innocent man.
While commiserating with Prof Obiozor on the burning of his home, he assured Imo people that Government will continue to do all within its Constitutional power to protect lives and property in the state.
4 killed As Police Repel Gunmen Attack In Uzodimma’s Hometown
Four persons were killed Sunday, as gunmen attacked Omuma Police Station in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
Briefing journalists in Owerri, state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Micheal Abattam, said the gunmen stormed the station at the wee hours of the state.
Omuma is the hometown of the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
According to him, the gunmen who were armed with Improvised Explosive Devices and shot sporadically upon arrival, were suppressed by the superior firepower of the police, resulting in the killing of four of them, while others sustained injuries.
He said police had launched a manhunt against the fleeing ones.
“On the 20th March 2022 at about 0300 hours, hoodlums suspected to members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network terrorist group came in large numbers with various calibres of Improvised Explosive Devices ( IED) to Omuma police station shooting sporadically but, were swiftly repelled by the ever gallant and combat-ready Imo Police Command’s tactical teams and operatives of the DSS who responded immediately, positioning themselves professionally and strategically.
“The Police Operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and in the process four of the bandits were neutralised on the spot while others scampered into the bush having suffered a huge defeat, with a number of them sustaining various degrees of bullet wounds. While there was no casualty on the side of the joint security operatives.
“On the spot, five undetonated different capacities of Improvised Explosives Devices were recovered from the neutralised bandits and charms. The Police Bomb Unit has taken custody of the Bombs for detonation.
“Meanwhile, Command’s Tactical Teams are conducting a vigorous and aggressive combing of the bush to arrest the fleeing hoodlums and to recover their arms/ammunition since they cannot go far because of the huge damage done to them”, he stated.
ALSO,, Gunmen on Saturday night, attacked operatives of the Abba Vigilance Group and Abba Security Network in the Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State.
The community security operatives were patrolling the community when the gunmen ambushed them around 10pm.
A community source said on Sunday morning that the gunmen operated with no fewer than ten motorcycles.
The source said that the miscreants came from Okwelle community in the Onuimo LGA, chased members of the vigilance group and shot at their vehicle. The vigilance group members were said to have abandoned their vehicle and fled into the bush.
“The gunmen chased them inside the bush and were shooting repeatedly.
“Frustrated that they could not achieve their aim, they visited their anger on their patrolling vehicle, Sienna Bus and set fire on it,” the source said.
The police spokesperson for the Command, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the attack.
