Gunmen, yesterday, invaded the Umualumaku community in Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State and eight security personnel was killed.
All the security personnel, including soldiers, police officers, and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were burnt inside their operational vehicles.
It was gathered that the culprits struck early yesterday morning and caused the residents to run for safety, leaving the area deserted.
Sources said two security trucks carrying the joint security task force team were set ablaze by the assailants.
It was also learnt that after the incident, a security team was dispatched to the crime scene in an effort to apprehend the perpetrators and evacuate the bodies of the deceased officers.
A resident in the community, who pleaded anonymity, said he saw the security team patrolling the area a few minutes before they were attacked.
When contacted, the state Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development, but pleaded for time to get the full details.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the violent killing and burning of armed security forces by a yet to be determined group of armed non-state actors in the state.
The group appealed to restive agitators for self-government in the South east to cease fire and opt for constructive dialogues, if they are behind the series of bloody violence.
HURIWA’s National coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said it is inconceivable that security operatives sent to the state to maintain law and order are subjected to this gruesome and painful death in the hands of a yet to be ascertained bunch of armed non-state actors.
The right group also called on politicians to set their differences aside and work collectively to restore peace, stability and state-wide consensus on how best to bring about total reconciliation and concord in the state hitherto known for its ability to attract tourists from all over the world.
HURIWA further called for a broad-based investigation of these killings to actually ascertain the suspected killers and for effective justice delivery to be operationalised.
We are again calling on the relevant security agencies to investigate the scope of operation of the self-acclaimed private soldiers commanded by the former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, who confirmed that he carried out military operations in the South East under the directive of immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari,” the group requested.
