By Sunday Apah
Another heartbreaking incident unfolded in Imo State on Saturday evening when unidentified gunmen fatally shot Hyginus Ohazurike, the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State.
Additionally, six village heads from the autonomous community were also reported to have been killed by the assailants.
A resident of the community, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed journalists that the gunmen, who were traveling in a vehicle, carried out the attack while the victims were gathered for a meeting in the community.
The source revealed, “Gunmen have just killed the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community and six village heads.
The President-General and the village heads were meeting at the President-General’s shop in the community market when the attackers struck.”
Describing the harrowing event, the source continued, “Upon arrival, the gunmen opened fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of all the community leaders present, and they set the area ablaze before fleeing the scene.” Expressing deep concern, the source emphasized that the motive behind the attack remains unknown.
Following the appalling incident, residents of the village have fled their homes in fear. Emeka Obi, the sole administrator of the local government area, confirmed the tragic deaths and assured constituents that he was addressing the situation. He condemned the killings and urged the community to remain calm during this difficult time.
As of the time of reporting, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, had not yet responded to inquiries.
It is worth noting that a previous attack by gunmen in the same community had resulted in the deaths of a ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress and seven others.
In the past week, a series of tragic incidents unfolded in different communities across Owerri, the state capital. On Monday, unidentified assailants mercilessly took the lives of four policemen and a Point of Sale operator in Irette community along the Owerri – Onitsha expressway.
Another distressing event occurred on the same day when armed individuals attacked Umuelemai junction in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, resulting in the death of one individual and the destruction of a vehicle by setting it ablaze.
The following day, Tuesday, marked yet another grim chapter as gunmen fatally shot businessman Okey Nze, also known as Wealthy Empire, at Amawire junction in Orji community, Owerri North Local Government Area.
Simultaneously, in Nworieubi community within the Mbaitoli Local Government Area, gunmen tragically ended the lives of policeman OC Ireozor and community chief Paulinus Mbakwe on that fateful Tuesday.
