By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
On Saturday night, unknown gunmen murdered seven people in the Umucheke Okwe community, located in the Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State.
The victims included six village leaders and the community’s president general, who were attending a weekly meeting at the president general’s shop in the community market when the attack occurred.
According to an anonymous community member, “Gunmen have just shot dead the President General of Umucheke Okwe and six village heads.” The source further explained, “Upon their arrival, the gunmen unleashed gunfire, killing all the community leaders before setting the place ablaze.” The motive for the attack remains unclear, with the source stating, “Nobody understands the reason for the assault. No one knows the purpose of the meeting.”
In the wake of the violence, residents have fled their homes, leaving the settlement deserted. Efforts to reach ASP Henry Okoye, the public relations officer for the Imo State Police Command, were unsuccessful as his phone was turned off at the time of reporting.