Unknown gunmen have attacked a patrol vehicle, resulting in the tragic deaths of three vigilante operatives and a teenager in the Umuaka community of Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, July 7, 2024, as the vigilantes were conducting patrol near Afor Umuaka and Hilltop Primary School. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants set up an ambush and opened fire on the security personnel. Tragically, a teenager was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.
“The gunmen intercepted the community security Toyota Sienna that the security men were patrolling with and fatally shot them,” a source recounted.
Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the attack and assured that a tactical squad had been mobilized to apprehend the assailants.
“The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has strongly condemned the attack and gruesome murder of the vigilante personnel of the Umuaka Autonomous Community by gunmen on Sunday evening, 7/07/2024,” he stated.
“In response to this tragic incident that claimed the lives of three brave vigilantes on routine crime prevention patrol and an innocent bystander, the Commissioner of Police has deployed the Command’s Tactical Squad with all available operational resources to collaborate with other security agencies in apprehending the criminals responsible for this heinous act.
“CP Aboki Danjuma expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and assured that the command will spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.”
