BIGPENNGR understands the gunmen were matching on the street of Amakohia/Orlu road in their numbers, wearing black attires and masks shortly after news filtered in that the residence of a commissioner in the state has been razed down.
Eyewitness accounts say the invaders were matching freely and shooting sporadically in the air to scare people away including the police and army.
Sources disclosed that parading gunmen caused serious stampede both at the church and Amakohia modern market as residents scampered for safety.
One witness said that “the church gate was immediately locked to prevent the gun-wielding men from gaining entrance into the premises.
“The parade lasted for about 40 minutes and caused motorists and pedestrians to use alternative routes to their destinations”.
Meanwhile, reports say the gunmen were also spotted at Orji axis of Owerri and Spibat road, where they shot continuously in the air.
This occurred after the gunmen had razed the country home of Imo Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba in Oru East Local Government Area.
The incident, occurred around, 1 am on Sunday. It was learnt that several properties running into millions of naira were destroyed in the Commissioner’s residence.
According to sources, the gunmen broke down his gate and set the house on fire without any hindrance.
The Police in Imo State confirmed the incident.
The police said they repelled another attempt by unknown gunmen to attack the command’s headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, on Sunday,
Five of the dozens of attackers were eliminated in a gun duel.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, in a statement confirmed the officers recorded no casualty in the battle.
The spokesman said the gunmen made efforts to access the police headquarters through the Works Layout around Avan Nursery and Primary School but were pushed back.
