The Imo State Police Command on Thursday stated that it has launched a “coordinated manhunt for criminal elements”, who allegedly attacked commuters on the Okigwe-Owerri Road.
The mayhem, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, left now fewer than 29 trucks burnt.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson l, DSP Henry Okoye.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the armed men, operating in three separate groups, blocked the highway between Umunna in Onuimo Local Government Area and parts of Okigwe Local Government Area at about 5 am on Thursday.
“They shot sporadically, causing panic and chaos, and setting vehicles, including trucks and motorcycles ablaze.
“Tragically, reports of human casualties have also been confirmed as a result of the ambush,” Okoye said.
He added that the attackers were likely members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
Okoye noted that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, led a joint tactical team of the Police, Army, DSS, and other security agencies to the scene in response to the distress call.
“The team provided immediate support to victims and initiated a comprehensive operation to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects responsible for the heinous attack.
“A full-scale search and cordon operation is currently underway. With security operatives combing nearby forests and surrounding areas where the suspects are believed to be hiding.
“The Commissioner has assured the public that the operation will continue until all the suspects are apprehended and brought to justice.
“While condemning the attack in the strongest terms and describing it as a cowardly act of terror, the Commissioner called on Imo residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and security conscious,” the statement added.
Danjuma further urged residents of the area to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to aid the ongoing operations.
The Commissioner stated that the Command and security agencies remained fully committed to restoring normalcy and safeguarding the lives and property of all residents and road users in different parts of the State.
An eyewitness account stated that residents of the area have all deserted the community out of fear for further attacks.