Gunmen have reportedly killed two security personnel during an attack on the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters in Imo State.
According to the Cable, the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, as the attackers stormed the area, firing shots indiscriminately.
According to witnesses, the assailants killed two security officers who were on duty and set several sections of the council building and vehicles ablaze.
The source speculated that the attack might be related to the All Progressives Congress primary elections, which were being held across the state’s 27 LGAs and 306 wards.
“Two security personnel at Isiala-Mbano council headquarters have been shot dead. The hoodlums also set ablaze a larger portion of the council building and several vehicles parked on the premises,” a witness reported.
The witness added, “APC is having their primaries today for the September 21 local government council election. The assailants may have thought the exercise was held at the council headquarters. They stormed there around 8:30 p.m. and shot the security men on sight to death. Many others escaped with various degrees of injuries.”
The attack has sparked fear in Umuelemai, the LGA headquarters, with residents fleeing to neighboring villages for safety.
“There is palpable fear in Umuelemai… Government and police should come to our rescue,” the witness said.
Efforts to reach Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in the state, for comments were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
