Security agencies on Thursday night gunned down eight hoodlums in a fresh attempt to attack on the Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo state.
The joint security operatives also recovered about seven vehicles, including sophisticated weapons belonging to the hoodlums.
It was gathered that the gun battle began when some hoodlums attempted to attack the Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters.
Subsequently, the Divisional headquarters called for military reinforcement from the 34 artillery brigade, Obinze, in Owerri.
According to reports, battle started in the Banana Junction of Orlu town.
The battle threw the town into chaos as many residents ran for dear life.
Although, the Imo State Police Command is yet to issue a statement as at press time, however, a senior police officer quoted by the Punch confirmed that the bodies of the hoodlums and their vehicles had been brought to the state police command headquarters in Owerri.
Some of the vehicles included a Land Rover, Toyota Highlander, Siena, white hummer buses, Umuopia-Akokwa vigilante Lion Squad security vehicle, among others.
The source was quoted as saying, “We successfully repelled an attempt to raze Orlu Divisional Police Headquarters last night. The hoodlums came in multiple vehicles and sophisticated weapons and asault riffles. They were repelled and eight of them were gunned down and with seven vehicles belonging to them recovered.
“Their corpses and seven vehicles belonging to them had been conveyed to Imo state police command headquarters in Owerri. As I speak to you now, they are with us. You need to see their charms and other things hanging on their necks.
“It was a big war. The gun battle lasted for hours but our men, made up of the police, military and air force overpowered them. They were denied access into the police station premises. Eight of them were killed and seven vehicles recovered while others fled.”
Hoodlums had attacked the Imo State Police Headquarters and the Correctional facility on April 5.
According to the Nigerian Correctional Service(NCS), the hoodlums gained entrance into the facility using explosive to blast the entrance of the facility and subsequently released about 1, 884 inmates.
The Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma‘s house at his country home in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area(LGA) of Imo state, was also attacked and set ablaze by hoodlums
