Security operatives made a breakthrough for the first time in Imo this year as they successfully resisted and repelled an attack on Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters by unknown gunmen.

The incident, which happened Thursday night, saw the joint security operatives killing about eight hoodlums in the gun duel.

The Police Spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, could not be reached but a senior police officer confirmed the development.

The police officer said that the corpses of the hoodlums and their vehicles had been brought to the state police command headquarters in Owerri.

He disclosed that the police divisional headquarters was not razed neither were any security personnel killed in the attack.

The operatives also recovered seven vehicles the attackers used for attempted operation.

It will be recalled that since January and April, unknown gunmen had successfully carried out attacks on about ten police stations, including the razing of the state police command headquarters.

They also successfully attacked and freed no fewer than 1,800 prisoners from the Owerri Correctional Centre.

The gun battle between the unknown gunmen and the security operatives in Orlu lasted several hours, as the military sent reinforcement from the 34 artillery brigade, Obinze.

The gun duel created an atmosphere of panic, as people scampered for safety, leaving the roads in Orlu town and its environs deserted.

A resident of the area who preferred anonymity disclosed to NAN that they could not sleep due to the gun battle.

He also added that an Armored Personnel Carrier was allegedly set ablaze at Umunna junction in Orlu town.

The resident disclosed that one of his cousins was hit by a stray bullet, adding that the attack came few hours after the new CP Abutu Yaro assumed office.

Yaro stated that, when contacted, that he would officially brief journalists on the incident as investigations were still ongoing.

NAN