Police Launch Manhunt For Gunmen Who Burnt Bodies, Trucks In Coordinated Attack On Imo Communities

The Nigeria Police Force has initiated a manhunt for suspected militants linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the wake of a coordinated and deadly attack in Imo State.

According to a confidential police situation report obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, the assailants struck around 6:35 a.m. on Thursday, unleashing violence along the Okigwe-Owerri Road, where they reportedly set vehicles ablaze and torched human bodies.

The report stated that more than 20 gunmen, operating in three separate groups, launched simultaneous attacks at different locations. The violence occurred along the Okigwe-Owerri highway and in areas between Umuna in Onuimo Local Government Area and Okigwe LGA.

“SITREP 2 X 08/05/2025 X ESN/IPOB Activities X...message received from SUPOL Okigwe Division...at about 063500hrs of date X Unknown gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN disgruntled elements in three groups X numbering over twenty were shooting and burning vehicles along Okigwe-Owerri Road...Trucks X articulated vehicles X motorcycles were burnt concurrently at three different locations...including burnt human bodies,” the document read.

The report, signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Imo State and marked for internal circulation, noted that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, visited the scene of the attack alongside senior security officials.

The delegation included operatives from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local hunters and vigilante groups.

The statement confirmed that a coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators is currently underway.

“Following the incident X COMPOL Imo Command X COMPOL Aboki Danjuma in company of other security chiefs X armed forces X tactical teams X DSS X NSCDC X hunters X vigilantes X have visited the scene for on the spot assessment X also currently combing the bush X in pursuit of the perpetrators X further development will be communicated yours X Please X COMPOL DOPS Owerri,” it added.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the incident sparked widespread outrage among residents, who accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of turning a blind eye to the worsening security situation in the state.

“Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs are burning while our governor is busy enjoying his brand-new private jet,” one resident told SaharaReporters.

“Don’t you have human sympathy? Don’t you have human feelings? Are you comfortable with the pain and suffering of Imolites?” another asked, demanding that the governor either act decisively or devolve security responsibilities to local governments.

No official casualty figures have been released.

While the Nigerian Police have attributed the coordinated attack to IPOB/ESN, no group has claimed responsibility. Meanwhile, residents have expressed concern over the government's perceived inaction, suggesting that repeated security breaches point to serious intelligence failures.

IPOB, for its part, has consistently maintained that it is not involved in killings or any form of criminal activity.