3 FEARED DEAD AS GUN MEN ATTACK UMUAKA COMMUNITY IN IMO STATE

Unidentified gunmen, on Sunday night, opened fire on a patrol vehicle, killing three vigilance operatives and a passerby at Umuaka Community in Njaba Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo.

Newsmen learnt that the incident occurred near the local Afor Umuaka Market and Hilltop Primary School at about 7:20p.m.

A community leader, who pleaded anonymity, described the attack as a “devastating ambush”. The source told newsmen that the people of the community and neighbouring communities had been under siege by gunmen and kidnap suspects terrorising the area in recent times.

It further claimed that hoodlums recently set up criminal camps in the neighboring Ezioha Community in Mbaitoli LGA from where they lunch attacks on residents of the area.

Confirming the tragic incident to newsmen in Owerri on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, said three vigilance personnel and a female passerby, hit by stray bullet, died during the attack.