Unknown gunmen kill four vigilante operatives in Anambra community, declare CSO wanted

By Ifeoma Ejue, Awka

Militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, operating under the guise of unknown gunmen have killed four members of the neighbourhood watch group in Umudaraebe, Ezika Ukpor Town, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The IPOB militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN, was said to have invaded the community in the wee hours and killed four of the community vigilante members at their area office.

This is the second time the group is attacking the vigilante outfit for opposing their activities in the community.

A competent source told our correspondent that the prime target of the latest attack was the Chief Security Officer of the community, Mr Emmanuel Okonkwo, who miraculously escaped from the attack as he traveled on the eve of the incident.

The source said the unknown gunmen branded vigilante members saboteurs.

A prominent leader of the community, Chief Samuel Chukwukelu, who briefed journalists, expressed worry on the developments in the community.

Nwomeh disclosed that since the formation of ESN, the group had been trying to conscript some indigenous people of the community into its militant wing.

He, however, lamented that, “the trend is that once you refuse to join them, they will brand you a saboteur and find a way to terminate your life.

“However, our community’s vigilante group has been preventing them from carrying out their nefarious activities in our area.

“On this particular day, October 10th, 2023, they stormed our community, and attacked the vigilante group’s office at the village square.

“Upon arrival, they ambushed the five men on duty and asked them to produce the CSO, Mr Emmanuel Okonkwo.

“However, they told them that the CSO was not on duty, that he traveled. They were not ready to accept that, so they went ahead and shot four of them, only one escaped.

“They accused them of spying for some security agencies, and threatened to come back for Mr Emmanuel Okonkwo.

While describing the attack as devastating, he said the essence of the press briefing was for the government and the relevant security agencies to come to the aid of the community.

“Our community needs protection; we should not be allowed to live at the mercy of gunmen.

“We all need Biafra, but it should not come by killing our own people under the guise of a freedom fight,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police confirmed the killing, noting that it was on the trail of those behind the mayhem.