Horror In Imo As Gunmen Behead Community Leader, Raze Down 20 Shops, Vehicles

An unidentified community leader has been reportedly beheaded, with his head placed on a table at a market in Okporo community in Orlu local Government Area of Imo State, during a horrific night attack on the community, Sunday.

Gunmen reportedly attacked Okporo and neighbouring communities in Orlu on Sunday. The attack lasted till early Monday, according to reports.

The reason for the attack was not immediately known as of press time, but residents linked it to the hardened criminal gang as well as native doctors that operate freely at night in the area.

The violence has increased the number of beheaded persons in the Orlu area to about five and led to complete razing down of over twenty shops and vehicles.

Also, a hotel owned by Chinonso Uba in the area was said to have been set ablaze while Uba’s house was razed by the gunmen who dressed in security outfit.

According to reports, the gunmen stormed the hotel with Two hilux vehicles, Mercedes 360, armoured car. They also burnt a brand new hylander car belonging to Uba. An eyewitness disclosed.

The eyewitness explained that the criminals started with beheading of their people and now burning people’s homes.

“My brother, this is what we have been seeing since Sunday, Orlu is getting hot now. We are no longer sleeping. These criminals move freely in the night and they kill and destroy everything.

“Even this Monday morning we hear of strange movement by these men in Okporo community and people started running. What is happening in Orlu is creating fears everywhere. These criminals started with beheading of our people and now burning peoples homes. What do they want?

“When will all these attacks end we are suffering in Orlu local government and government should please send security operatives to us to end these attacks.”

“Orlu deserves to be peaceful and people deserve to do their business peaceful with a conducive environment there will be development and people living in Orlu will be happy.”

The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mike Abatam, noted that the police had earlier cordoned off the forest of Njaba to checkmate the activities of the hoodlums.