Gunfire shattered the early hours of Monday in Umudibia, Umualuaku community of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, as suspected bandits launched a prolonged assault, forcing residents into a lockdown of fear and confusion. The attack, which started around 5:30 a.m., saw the assailants firing sporadically for nearly three hours, holding the community hostage while security forces scrambled to respond.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the sound of gunshots echoed through the area, leaving streets deserted and markets shut. Several residents who attempted to flee were reportedly forced to return indoors as bullets whizzed through the air. Many families locked themselves inside their homes, too terrified to move.
A desperate distress call was circulated through the Imo Police Media platform by one of the residents, pleading for urgent military and police intervention. The message triggered swift mobilization by joint security forces to contain the threat.
Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said tactical squads had been deployed in collaboration with the Nigerian military and the Department of State Services (DSS). He revealed that intelligence pointed to suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as the masterminds of the attack.
“Our men are on the ground with full force,” Okoye assured at 9:34 a.m. “This operation is ongoing, and we have every intention of flushing out the criminal elements responsible for this carnage. We will not allow fear to cripple our communities.”
As of press time, no official report of casualties had been confirmed, although residents said they saw injured persons being moved discreetly. Tension remains high across the surrounding villages as fears of further attacks grow.
The Imo State Police Command urged citizens to remain alert and promptly report any suspicious activity via emergency number 08034773600. This latest attack adds to the troubling wave of insecurity that has plagued parts of the South-East, stoking calls for improved intelligence, community collaboration, and decisive federal action.
