Panic as police, gunmen clash in Imo

There was panic in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Wednesday morning as operatives of the police command engaged gunmen in a shootout. 

The gun duel reportedly occurred around Whetheral road and Ikenegbu.

Henry Okoye, spokesperson of the state’s police command, said the gunmen were suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who tried to spring a “surprise attack”. 

“Our men had a shoot-out with hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN. Intensive operation is ongoing to restore normalcy,” Okoye said.

“The gunmen adopted a guerrilla-like strategy where they come out from their enclaves, unleash a surprise attack and go back into hiding. However, concerted efforts are under way by security agencies to apprehend them.”

One eyewitness said the gunmen attempted to free inmates from a correctional centre before they were repelled. 

“From my observation as an eyewitness, they attempted to come and break the correctional service centre (prisons). Because some of the inmates were jubilating on hearing the sounds of their gunshots,” the eyewitness said. 

“They would have succeeded if not for the presence of the military and the other armed truck.”

Residents reportedly scampered for safety while the gun duel lasted.