A local vigilante has been killed while another was injured during a gun battle between men of the Orlu Divisional Headquarters of the Imo State Command and gunmen who were trying to break into the palace of the traditional ruler of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Emma Okeke.
Police in a joint operation with the Local Vigilantes of Amaifeke ancient Kingdom of Orlu LGA of Imo State on 18th July 2023 stopped the hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN.
Spokesperson of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, in a statement on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, said that the hoodlums in their large numbers were shooting sporadically and fighting their way into the palace of HRH Okeke, who is also the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The gunmen were given stiff resistance by police operatives and local vigilantes who professionally took vintage positions and engaged them in a protracted gun duel, forcing them to flee to the adjourning bushes with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
Two local vigilantes whose names are withheld for security reasons were fatally injured in the ensuing gun duel and immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The PPRO said that unfortunately, one of them died while receiving medical attention, while the other is in stable condition.
The spokesperson said that on combing the adjourning bushes, blood stains were seen which evidentially suggest that the hoodlums were fatally hit.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde in his reaction called on the good people of Amaifeke Kingdom to go about their lawful business as adequate security measures have been emplaced to forestall future occurrences.
He said that an intensive manhunt for the assailants is ongoing adding that they will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The CP urged the general public particularly owners of Hospital and first aid outlets to swiftly report any person (s) seen with or treating gunshot injury in the State to the nearest police station.
