Eight gunmen killed as security operatives repel attack on Imo police HQ

Eight gunmen were killed during an attack on Orlu divisional police headquarters in Imo state on Thursday night.

The gun duel, which sent residents scampering to safety, lasted for hours with reinforcement sent from the 34 artillery brigade, Obinze, in Owerri, the state capital.

An armoured personnel carrier was set ablaze at Umuna junction of the area during the attack.

Orlando Ikeokwu, the police spokesperson in the state, could not be reached but a senior police officer confirmed the development to NAN.

The police officer said the corpses of the hoodlums and their vehicles had been taken to the state police command headquarters in Owerri.

He said the police divisional headquarters was not razed neither was any security personnel killed in the attack.

The operatives also recovered seven vehicles the attackers used for the operation.

The state, in recent times, has witnessed a series of attacks on security and detention facilities, leading to the death of some police officers.

The DSS had on April 26 alleged that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were moving explosives from Lagos state to an unconfirmed location in Orlu LGA of Imo.

The DSS had alleged that the action of the group was to further destabilise the state.