Many feared dead as gunmen ‘attack army camp’ in Imo

Gunmen attacked the Ehime-Mbano LGA on Tuesday, reportedly killing a number of soldiers at the army camp in the community. 

The attack comes a week after some suspected hoodlums set ablaze the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study centre in the Ezeoke Nsu community of Ehime-Mbano.

The assailants also torched the residence of Frank Ibezim, former senator for Imo north.

In a viral video, the gunmen could be seen chanting battle songs, while setting several operational vehicles on fire.

“We are the angels. The angels are here. The army has run away. Why are they running? They should stand and face us,” they chanted.

“We are live at Ehime-Mbano army camp. Today is the 8th of October, we are the angels. We have come to take over.”

A resident of the community who spoke to TheCable said the gunmen struck around 8:30pm on Tuesday.

“The gunmen invaded the Ehime-Mbano army camp and killed some soldiers. They also set on fire several operational vehicles in the camp,” the resident said.

“There is panic in our community. People are living in fear here. Gunmen have taken over our land. No one is safe anymore. Government should do something fast to save us.”

Henry Okoye, spokesperson of the Imo police command, said the command had yet to be briefed on the incident.

Onyema Nwachukwu, spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, was also not immediately available for a reaction.