Police: Killers of community leaders in Imo were led by a fugitive

The Imo police command says the recent killings in Mmahu autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of the state were cult-related.

TheCable had reported how seven prominent community leaders of the state were killed by gunmen on Tuesday morning.

In a statement, Michael Abbatam, the state police spokesperson, said about 20 armed men, led by one Ossy who allegedly escaped from the Imo correctional centre, invaded the community.

“On 08/02/2022 at about 2200 hours, one ‘Ossy’ led about twenty armed men with their faces masked to Mmaahu Community in Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State, went to the following identified persons houses namely ; Charles Mgbarahor, Funky Anane, Charity Nwachukwu, Edeme Okoro, Isaac Ojenya , Ndubuisi Nwabusi, and Junior Ifeyinwoke, shot and killed them,” the statement reads .

“The Divisional Police Officer on receipt of this information immediately, mobilised his men and other patrol teams to the area, on arrival at the scene, the hoodlums have deserted the place, leaving seven persons dead.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the killing has elements of cultism. And that ‘Ossy’ is an escapee from Imo Correctional Centre Owerri who is reasonably suspected to belong to a cult group known as ‘De- Gbam’. While the persons killed are suspected to belong to another cult group known as ‘De- Well’.”

He said the police command has deployed additional tactical units to the community to support the operation of the Egbema division in order to forestall a reprisal attack.

Abbatam said Rabiu Hussaini, the commissioner of police, has also ordered the State Intelligence Investigation Department (SCID) to commence a discreet investigation to fish out the perpetrators.