Tragedy struck in Imo State on Tuesday evening as unidentified gunmen launched a deadly assault on the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area headquarters. The attack, which occurred around 8:30 pm, resulted in the loss of two security personnel who were on duty at the time.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with IgbereTV correspondents describe the scene as chaotic, with the gunmen firing indiscriminately and setting parts of the council building and several vehicles ablaze. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but speculation suggests it may be linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held in the state.
The source revealed that the attackers may have mistakenly believed the election was taking place at the council headquarters, leading them to target the location.
“Two security personnel 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 on the premises,” the source said.
“APC is having their primaries today for the September 21 local government council election. The assailants may have thought the exercise was held at the council headquarters.
“They stormed there around 8:30pm and shot the security men on sight to death. Many others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
“There is palpable fear in Umuelemai, the LGA headquarters, because people, as I speak, have run away to neighbouring villages for fear of being killed. Government and police should come to our rescue,” the eyewitnesses said.
The recent attack on the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area headquarters has raised concerns about the connection to Simon Ekpa’s recent order.
Recall that Ekpa, leader of the Biafra Liberation Army of the Biafra Government in Exile, had declared a one-month sit-at-home from August 28 to September 28, vowing to target government and security facilities.
The Imo State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, had responded by deploying a water-tight security presence in targeted areas, including the state secretariat, where he assured staff of their safety.
However, the attack on the council headquarters suggests that Ekpa’s order may be gaining traction, and the police’s efforts may not be enough to prevent such incidents. The incident has raised fears among residents, with many fleeing to neighboring villages in fear of further violence.
The police are yet to comment on the incident, but the attack has highlighted the challenges facing the authorities in maintaining security and protecting public facilities amidst the sit-at-home order. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the police’s security strategies and their ability to prevent such attacks.
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