The police command in Imo said that gunmen, on Saturday night, shot and killed eight community leaders in Umucheke, Onuimo LGA.
The commissioner of police, Aboki Danjuma, confirmed the incident on Sunday, when he led some heads of other security agencies in the state to the scene of the attack.
Mr Danjuma blamed the attack on suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
He said that the police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were presently raiding the forests in and around Okigwe axis in search of the hoodlums.
“The hoodlums that perpetrated yesterday’s attack are six in number. They came with three motorcycles, people of the community reportedly saw them but didn’t report to the police or other security agencies until they perpetrated the killings and fled.
“Imo residents need to be security conscious and report any suspicious activity to the police because that is the only way we can put an end to these senseless killings,” the police chief said.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and Umucheke community over the unfortunate killing of their loved ones.
He assured them that security agencies in the state were working in synergy to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law.
He further said that the command would station a detachment of security operatives in the village to beef up security in the area.
Those killed included the president-general, Hyginus Ohazurike, and seven other village heads.
They were reportedly attacked, while holding a meeting at Ohazurike’s shop.
The killing occurred barely a week after gunmen attacked some parts of Owerri, the Imo capital, killing five policemen and three civilians.
(NAN)
