‘Several persons killed’ as gunmen attack residence of CUPP spokesperson in Imo

Gunmen have attacked the residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesperson of the the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), in Umukegwu community, Akokwa, Ideato LGA of Imo state.

Ugochinyere’s uncle and some other persons were reportedly killed in the attack which occured on Saturday.

Vehicles were also reportedly razed by the gunmen.

Ugochinyere is the candiate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ideato north and south federal constituency of Imo.

The gunmen were said to have invaded Ugochinyere’s residence while he was having a meeting with some of his supporters.

Earlier, the CUPP spokesperson, sent out a SOS on Twitter, saying help was needed in the community.

“We need help in Akokwa Ideato North LGA Imo State. My uncle [has] been killed now. They are setting everything on fire. [Please] help,” he had tweeted.

The Imo PDP, in a statement by Collins Opuruozor, its spokesperson, confirmed the attack.

“The PDP in Imo State alerts that, at the moment, there is a well-coordinated armed attack going on at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, the candidate of our party for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency,” the statement reads.

“This has resulted in the killing of undisclosed number of persons. Also, buildings are reported to have been set ablaze.

“Our efforts to get back to our candidate, Ugochinyere, who was present at his residence when this attack began and who had personally alerted us to the attack, has proven abortive.

‘However, a torrent of messages, a while ago, from Ikenga’s close aides bore some deeply pathetic lines like: ‘Everywhere is on fire! They are killing us! We are going going!”

The party called on security agencies to intervene over the situation.