The Imo State Police Command has expressed its determination to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of no fewer than 18 people in coordinated attacks by gunmen in several communities in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday that the killings occurred in Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihittenasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe, all communities within Orsu LGA on Sunday.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, who hails from Orsu, had drawn attention to the incident via his X-handle on Monday.

Odinkalu tweeted, “Information is coming thro of what appears to have been systematic slaughter last night across several communities in Orsu LGA of Imo State, SE #Nigeria, including in Amaebu, Awo-Idemili, Eziawa, Umuhu-Okabia. Interim casualty count ATM is 23 but it looks like it could be higher.

“For obvious reasons, I am unable to share images from the scenes or of the remains of affected persons on this platform. They are too gory for words. The government at various levels – local, state, federal – does not appear to have noticed nor heard any of this.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to our correspondent during a telephone conversation saying an investigation had begun.

Okoye said, “The police are aware of the killings and already CP Aboki Danjuma has set up a high-powered security team involving the different security agencies to unravel the case. The CP appeals to people to remain calm.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that the residents had celebrated their annual Masqueraders’ Day, involving Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and the other communities, on Sunday, to mark the Yuletide.

After the masqueraders’ show, some holidaying locals who returned for Christmas and New Year decided to go to a drinking joint to have some fun.

However, our correspondent learnt that it was passers-by who discovered that everyone in the shop was lying in the pool of blood with suspected heavy machete wounds on their bodies.

A source who pleaded anonymity said, “Everybody in the joint, all nine people were discovered dead, whether customers or attendants. They had been butchered with deep machete cuts all over.

“We were just a few blocks away from there and nobody heard any sound of gunshot or argument. We suspect that it was members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network that are behind this,” he said.

Furthermore, he said three corpses were discovered in Umukabia consisting of family members, five corpses in Eziawa village, and another five corpses in Ihittenasa all with machete cuts that same January 5.

“I can’t explain how these incidents happened and nobody noticed. There were three people in Umukabia, five in Ezinwa, and another five in Ihittenasa villages and nobody saw the killers come in nor when leaving. Orsu lost 18 promising lives in one day.

“We suspect that these killings were done with inside collaboration with Orsu boys who are members of IPOB and ESN members that we don’t know”, the source said.

Orsu had for four years been under the control of the proscribed IPOB and ESN who succeeded in chasing out the locals.

However, the military had sustained a massive onslaught on the groups and successfully recovered some communities which made people to start returning to Orsu gradually including the holidaying victims.

Meanwhile, a police source who pleaded anonymity told PUNCH Metro the killers were trying to instil fear into Orsu people and make them leave their communities again.

A Chief Magistrate Court in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced one Mr. Nuhu Isah to six months imprisonment for intimidating and inciting a mob against officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during their duty.

Presiding over the case on January 7, 2025, Chief Magistrate Mohammed Njidda ruled that Isah could opt to pay a fine of N20,000 instead of serving the jail term.

The conviction was for criminally intimidating an FRSC patrol team.

The incident occurred on January 5, 2025, when Isah, a bystander, recorded the patrol team and allegedly incited passengers to mob the FRSC officials, who were engaged in lawful duties.

His actions led to his arrest and subsequent arraignment in court.

Reacting to the court’s decision, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed urged road users to prioritize safety and avoid behaviors that hinder the Corps’ efforts to ensure safer roads.

He reaffirmed the FRSC’s dedication to maintaining order and reducing accidents on Nigerian highways, stating that threats or intimidation by individuals would not deter the agency from performing its duties.

Mohammed also highlighted the FRSC’s proactive deployment of its workforce during the festive period to ensure smooth traffic flow and rapid response to emergencies across the country’s highways.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has begun profiling sponsors of communal clashes in the state.
Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare disclosed this to Governor Umo Eno during a courtesy call at the Government House in Uyo.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, on Wednesday, said the Commissioner of Police informed Governor Eno that pockets of kidnappings, armed robbery, communal clashes, and homicidal cases are some of the security challenges facing the state.

He assured the governor that his team, in collaboration with DSS, would address these challenges.

He said, “The Command, in collaboration with the DSS in the state, has commenced profiling of the sponsors of communal clashes and will soon submit an interim report.”

He also announced plans to engage the youth in dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence and to collaborate with other security agencies to end security challenges in the state.

Baba Mohammed Azare, who pledged his readiness to support community policing, told the governor that he had directed the command’s Public Relations Officer to make his phone number and those of other principal officers available to the public for easy access.

Governor Eno welcomed the new Commissioner of Police and lauded his plan to engage the youth in community policing, saying it aligns with the state government’s efforts to enhance peace and development.

Governor Umo Eno assured Azare of his administration’s support in tackling crime and maintaining peace in the state.