A deadly attack by armed assailants on Thursday night has thrown several communities in Arondizogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, into deep mourning.
The assault, which took place between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., reportedly claimed the lives of numerous youths in the Umualaoma, Ndiakunwanta, and Ndiejezie communities.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the attackers—three unidentified gunmen—arrived on a motorcycle and began firing indiscriminately at people gathered in shops and public spaces.
In Umualaoma, some victims were said to be young men engaged in a game of draught when they were ambushed and gunned down in cold blood. Others included shop owners, customers, and residents enjoying the evening breeze. The sudden onslaught sparked chaos and panic, as cries of anguish echoed through the night.
The motive behind the massacre remains uncertain, but the scale and method of the attack have raised serious concerns among residents and civil society groups. The affected communities are now gripped by fear, and calls for urgent government intervention are intensifying.
Reacting to the tragic event, the Imo State Police Command strongly condemned the killings and attributed the incident to suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In an official statement, police spokesperson Henry Okoye described the act as “barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable.” He confirmed that more than seven people were killed, with several others sustaining life-threatening injuries.
Okoye further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has since mobilised tactical teams to the affected areas. A rigorous manhunt and combing operation are currently underway to track down the perpetrators. He assured residents that the situation is now under control, and proactive measures have been put in place to forestall any recurrence.
The Commissioner extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery. He appealed for calm within the communities and urged residents to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and security operations.
Meanwhile, the civil society organisation Stand for Humanity Foundation has also condemned the massacre in strong terms. In a statement, its founder, Chidiebube Okeoma, described the incident as “provocative and deeply troubling,” noting that the rising tide of violence in Imo State and the broader Southeast region is both alarming and unacceptable.
Okeoma called on both the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify their efforts in safeguarding innocent lives and ensuring peace and stability. He also offered condolences to the affected families, urging authorities to act swiftly to bring the culprits to justice and prevent future occurrences.